Wayne Rooney has revealed the one club he wished he would have played for during his long football career, having supported them since he was young

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has claimed that not playing for Celtic is one of his biggest football regrets.

Rooney, 40, enjoyed a stellar career which included 13 successful years at United where he made 559 appearances and scored 253 goals. In that time, the ex-England international became the club’s leading goalscorer and won 12 major trophies, including the Premier League five times and the Champions League once.

But Rooney, who also played for Everton twice and DC United before ending his career at Derby County, wished he would have had some time up in Scotland at boyhood club Celtic.

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When asked on The Wayne Rooney Show for the best atmosphere he has played in, he said: “Best atmosphere, I’d have to say Celtic Park. To play at Celtic in 2006, we actually lost the game 1-0, but to play there and feel that atmosphere was incredible.”

But on the most hostile atmosphere he experience, Rooney said: “Rangers away in 2010, I think it was. I’d played there for Everton in a pre-season game and I’m a big Celtic fan. I went to Ibrox to watch the Old Firm, to watch Celtic there, sat in the Celtic end, so I think they were aware of that.

“So when we went in 2010, they battered me. It was not long after I’d asked to leave Manchester United and then I’d signed. So I was under pressure to perform for United again.

“We got a penalty, I’ve scored it and went off celebrating. It was a real hostile performance. I felt it against me, normally you feel it against the team, but I felt it against me.

“Back then it was when I was using Twitter quite a bit and I was getting hammered on Twitter, so I was expecting it. I think it’s well known and I’ve put out there that I’m a Celtic fan. It’s probably one of my regrets, not playing for Celtic at some point.”

Rooney grew up as an Everton supporter but had a soft spot for Celtic for as long he can remember, saying: “Just growing up as a kid, I’ve always liked Celtic.

“When I was growing up there was Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton up top, John Hartson when he was there. Some of the players Celtic have had and moments they’ve given us, incredible. During the best part of my career, I always thought I’d love to play for Celtic at the end of my career. Obviously it wasn’t to be.”

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