DeMerit - Rooney will get a rough ride

08 June 2010 16:18

Jay DeMerit hopes the United States frustrate Wayne Rooney to the extent the England striker loses his cool during Saturday's World Cup clash in Rustenburg.

Defender DeMerit insists the USA will not try to deliberately wind up Rooney, whose temperament has again come under the spotlight after his yellow card against the Platinum Stars. But DeMerit believes keeping a tight rein on Rooney could result in the Manchester United star losing his self-control.

DeMerit said: "A lot has been said about Rooney over the years as far as temperament goes. I think Wayne more than anyone knows that people are going to try to use that against him."

He added: "That's not our worry. My worry as an individual is not to try to wind him up and try to get him sent off.

"He is a competitive guy, an aggressive guy, he wears his heart on his sleeve.

"Those guys in a lot of people's minds are easy to wind up. It is not a tactic we will employ on Saturday.

"But it is our job to make his day as difficult as possible and, if he uses that as a way to upset himself, then that is an advantage for us."

Source: PA