Madden wants to be more than just a jersey boy

YOUNG Bohemians hotshot Paddy Madden is relishing the opportunity of sharing the pitch with one of the game’s greatest marksmen when an Airtricity League XI take on Manchester United in football’s inaugural outing at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow.

“I always watch him,” says the 20-year-old Dubliner of Wayne Rooney. “His all-round play, his link up play, his will to work for the team. I love that about him. He’s not an individual player, he’s a team player. Sure, I thought he would have knocked a few goals in at the World Cup, but he’s been top notch all year.

“Players of Rooney’s calibre are allowed a blip in form too.”