Sonejee relishing Roo battle

Andorra hard-man ready to silence 'arrogant' Rooney

By James Pearson   Last updated: 5th September 2008

Oscar Sonejee and Wayne Rooney England v Andorra

Sonejee and Rooney last year

We were talking and he said "I'm a star player'.

Sonejee on Rooney
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Andorra defender Oscar Sonejee is relishing doing battle again with England striker Wayne Rooney on Saturday.

Sonejee's unsettling tactics against the Manchester United ace last year was one of many moral victories for the international minnows in Barcelona.

While it took Steve McClaren's side nearly an hour to forge ahead against Andorra in March 2007, Sonejee's physical approach to keeping Rooney quiet had the desired effect.

Rooney was booked after growing frustrated with the part-time insurance broker's man-handling approach, leading to the striker eventually being withdrawn by McClaren.

Sonejee was less than impressed with Rooney's 'arrogant' demeanour and is looking forward to renewing acquaintances against this weekend when England's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign gets underway.

Star player

"We were talking and he said, 'I'm a star player' and insulted me - and then I insulted him back," he revealed.

"In his mind, he was thinking, 'Who are Andorra? They have small players and are not professional'.

"Rooney was arrogant. When he plays Croatia, he's probably not so arrogant.

"This match was a very hot situation and when Rooney talks, he's very hot and very aggressive. He said things to me and I said them back.

"But I insulted him back in Spanish, so it's possible he didn't understand.

"I had a strong fight against Rooney last year. It was a battle."