Football: Andy Gray column: Wayne's big test is yet to come

WAYNE ROONEY, the new kid on the block at my old club Everton, has a stunning future...as long as he keeps his feet on the ground.

The kid's head must be spinning with all the praise that has been heaped on him in the past week.

I'm not easily convinced by kids of 17 because if you are physically big at that age you sometimes have an advantage when you face more slightly built guys. You can get found out when you reach the first team.

But Rooney has proved he can mix it with the best. When someone like Colin Harvey, who for 30 years has seen the cream of Everton's youth, tells you this lad is the best 17-year-old he has ever seen you have to take notice.

There have been plenty of footballers who have been heroes at 17 and zeroes by the time they were 21. Wayne has got to make sure that he is still improving when he reaches that age. Michael Owen has done it and I am sure Wayne will do the same.

I don't want to see him wrapped in cotton wool and I hope he still goes out and enjoys himself at the right times if he wants to. One thing he should definitely do is listen to his manager David Moyes, because he is a bright young manager and his advice will be invaluable.

Copyright 2002 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.