Rooney praise an 'incredible tribute' for Wrexham
Wayne Rooney, who scored 53 goals in 120 appearances for England, has praised Wrexham following their FA Cup match against Chelsea, describing it as an "incredible tribute for everyone connected with the club," according to manager Phil Parkinson.
Liam Rosenior's Premier League side required extra time to secure a 4-2 victory over the Red Dragons in the fifth round at Stok Cae Ras, despite Wrexham having George Dobson sent off late in regular time.
Rooney, part of the BBC's punditry team for the match held in north Wales, expressed admiration for the Championship club's performance.
"I think it's the most I've enjoyed a game of football since I stopped playing," he told The Wayne Rooney Show.
"I thought it was a really good game. Wrexham were excellent."
The 40-year-old added:
"My favourite game since I stopped playing was Barcelona v Inter Milan in the [Champions League] semi-finals last year, but I think one has taken over. I really enjoyed it."
Parkinson highlighted that Rooney's comments reflected the positive qualities Wrexham displayed against the Club World Cup champions.
"It's (Rooney's comments) an incredible tribute for everyone connected with the club," Parkinson said.
"It's great for us as a club that the wider audience saw what the team's all about.
"It really was an electric atmosphere from minute one."
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'Game on' in the Championship
With their FA Cup journey concluded, Wrexham now refocus on their campaign for a fourth consecutive promotion.
Currently sixth in the Championship, Wrexham hold a three-point lead over seventh-place Derby County with 11 matches remaining this season.
The team enters a sequence of two home league fixtures against Hull City (Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) and Swansea City (Friday, 20:00 GMT), having secured victories in each of their last three Championship matches.
Following their high-profile encounter with Chelsea, Parkinson emphasized that the league campaign is now the priority.
"It (Chelsea fixture) was a special night and one we will remember," Parkinson said.
"It could have been so much more memorable, but like I said to the lads, it's now game on in the league, starting with Hull City tomorrow."
