Neil Warnock delivers verdict on Wayne Rooney and Derby County ahead of Riverside clash

Rooney, 35, recently became the interim boss at Derby after Phillip Cocu was sacked by the Championship club earlier this month.

The Rams, who are bottom of the Championship, will travel to Teesside to face Boro on Wednesday.

Ahead of the match, Warnock, 71, was asked about former players like Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard stepping into management.

“I think it’s good. Wayne hasn’t taken any qualifications so it must have just come to him in the last 18 months or so,” replied Warnock.

“I do think when you have so much experience it’s natural to see if you can use that experience to your advantage.

“It is a lot different managing a club or being a player-coach. when you have to make the decisions yourself it becomes far more difficult.

“As a caretaker I don’t think he’ll have that problem, I think they will just be enjoying it.”

A four-man management team consisting of Rooney, Liam Rosenior, Shay Given and Justin Walker took charge of Derby’s last game against Bristol City.

And despite the club’s tough start to the season, Warnock expects Derby to improve.

“It’s a good job for somebody, whether it’s Wayne or whoever it is, because of the squad they’ve got,” said Warnock.

“It’s a difficult league but it’s such a good squad and they haven’t got to get too many wins to be mid-table at this time of the season.

“I expect them to be more than comfortable when the season ends.”

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Middlesbrough coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor