Spot-on Rooney keeps his cool

Wayne Rooney insisted he felt no nerves as he strode up to take the penalty he hopes will kick–start his season.

Even though there were just four minutes remaining on his first start since the beginning of October, and the Manchester United forward had just one goal to his name all season, he finished with clinical efficiency, sending Allan McGregor the wrong way to seal a 1–0 win over Rangers.

The goal took United into the knock-out phase of the Champions League with a game to spare, almost certainly as group winners. But more importantly, it signalled Rooney's return.

His season has been scarred by personal problems, loss of form and injury.

And it was compounded by that amazing week last month which started with a fear that he would leave Old Trafford and ended with the 25–year–old signing a new five–year contract.

"There were not many nerves really," said Rooney.

"I knew what I was doing and where I was going. I can only do that. If the keeper guesses the right way and saves it, so be it. Thankfully it went in.”

Rooney's only other goal this season came from the penalty spot too, against West Ham in August, and he was quick to race away to the United section of a packed Ibrox, another step forward in rebuilding his relationship with the club's fans.

Rooney contributed 34 goals to United's effort last season, but has been a shadow of his former self since first injuring an ankle in the Champions League quarter–final with Bayern Munich in March.