IRELAND YOUTH INTERNATIONAL Ayron Cashin earned the Wayne Rooney Award after standing out during his full debut for Derby County.
After spending four previous substitutions, Cashin was selected as Rooney’s starting line-up for Saturday’s home game against Peterborough United.
With Irishman Jason Knight and Festa Ebosele in the team also Derby gave their hopes of survival in the championship another boost, winning 1-0 thanks to a late goal by Louis Sibley.
Rooney expressed admiration for the performance of Cashin, who played all 90 minutes, when he was later asked about the left-back central defender.
“I thought he was great,” the 20-year-old Derby County manager said. “Selection, head, rest on the ball, moving the ball forward and entering with the ball; it was all I wanted and I’m happy for it.
“I think he is the best player. He can improve, but he has the potential to be a very good player and he is a great guy. ”
Cashin, who was born in England, has the right to play for Ireland under the rules of paternity. In 2019, in a match against Turkey at the U18 level, he played with Andy Reed.
“I told him to enjoy it,” Rooney added. “I believed in Cash’s arrival and he was wonderful. I’ve seen improvement in it this season.
“It’s hard to judge by U23 football, but there are details you look at. I then bring the players in for a few weeks so they can train with us and see how they got along with it and the guys were great.
“Message? I did not put any pressure on them [the young players]. They are good players. They wouldn’t have played if I didn’t think they could. ”
– Originally published at 12:27 p.m.