Duncan Ferguson shares the one regret he has about Wayne Rooney at Everton, ‘I was a bit worried’

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Everton fans would love to have a striker like Duncan Ferguson playing up front for them now.

David Moyes is enduring a slight struggle up top with Beto failing to score since February in the Premier League.

Going into the summer transfer window, Everton are looking to sign a new striker to really bolster their frontline.

Over the years, Everton have had some top quality forwards in their ranks.

Ferguson was a no-nonsense striker who could have certainly provided a real focal point to this current Everton side.

However, the Blues also produced Wayne Rooney who the likes of Dwight McNeil would surely have enjoyed playing alongside.

Having helped Rooney come through on Merseyside, the Scot has shared a surprise admission on how he treated the youngster.

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Duncan Ferguson did not want to hinder Wayne Rooney at Everton

Rooney has hailed Ferguson as his hero when he was growing up and coming through the ranks at Everton.

The young Evertonian certainly had an imposing figure on Merseyside to look up to.

However, Ferguson has now told the Stick to Football podcast that he does actually hold some regret when it comes to Rooney.

“Wayne was only young at the time, you know, coming through at Everton. You could see where he was going to get to, he wasn’t quite there, but he was still a top, top player; you could see what he was going to be,” said Ferguson.

“I kind of tried to shy away from Wayne. Wayne was younger than me and I think he looked up to me. I was a bit worried because I wasn’t the best role model and he was just a young kid. He was the biggest talent in Britain and if he got into trouble, I was going to get the blame for it. So I tended to keep away from him.

“He was heading up to Newcastle United, Wayne. I advised him against that. Just before he went to Manchester United. I said: ‘Newcastle’s a wonderful club with great fans, but if you’re going to leave and Sir Alex Ferguson wants you then you’ve got to go there.’

Jamie Carragher admitted he was scared of playing Ferguson during his time at Liverpool when it came to the Merseyside Derbies.

And it seems as if there was even some fear from Ferguson in potentially harming some of his own away from the pitch during his earlier days at Everton.

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Ferguson was Rooney’s Everton hero

Rooney was coming through at a time when Ferguson was showcasing his talent on Merseyside after a dismal spell with Rangers.

Although he has some regrets in the way he handled Rooney’s development, it was never quite as bad as one incident from his time in the dugout.

During his time as the manager in recent years, Ferguson hoisted Moise Kean off after bringing him on as a substitute.

And Rooney has not looked back on their time together with any frustration, as he remains clear Ferguson was his hero growing up.

“Best player growing up… my favourite one was Duncan Ferguson. His passion and fight, I used to love coming and watching him play, and then I was lucky enough to play with him,” said Rooney.