Steve Bruce admits a degree of sympathy for Wayne Rooney following the striker¿s ban for swearing.
Sunderland boss has his say regarding Rooney rant
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admits a degree of sympathy for Wayne Rooney following the striker's ban for swearing.
The Manchester United striker received a two-match ban from the Football Association for his foul-mouthed outburst during their 4-2 win against West Ham last week.
Rooney was celebrating a hat-trick having led United from two goals down towards victory and former Old Trafford favourite Bruce understands emotions were running high.
"We all know that there are certain areas where you can't go. It's a shame because Wayne Rooney is playing at the top of his game at the moment," said Bruce.
"I have done things this season where you cringe when you see yourself on the TV celebrate a goal or do something stupid.
"Sometimes you get caught up in the heat of the moment and it passes you by and you do things at the time which you regret afterwards."
In-form Rooney netted again against Chelsea on Wednesday night but will now sit out a Premier League visit of Fulham and an FA Cup semi-final with bitter rivals Manchester City.
'Unfortunate'
Bruce added: "It's unfortunate because it's taken away from the kid playing so well just at the right time.
"He is playing fantastically well and he will be a big miss for the big semi-final."
Bruce believes Rooney is a victim of the modern game, suggesting a player would not have received such a punishment in a previous era.
"The one thing about the cameras all around the ground, it has sent this Premier League that we play in all around the world, so we are not going to start saying it's their fault," he said.
"But they are everywhere you look now and you can't get away with anything, and that has changed.
"For example 10, 15 years ago, we got one game live a week, didn't we? We see most games now and big highlights, so it's part and parcel of it.
"But it has changed, of course it has."
