Derby 1 Real Betis 0: Bird scores late to earn Wayne Rooney dramatic victory in first match after party girl scandal
WAYNE ROONEY remains Derby County manager and took charge of the Rams' victory over Real Betis.
But the under-fire England legend has been read the riot act by club chiefs after his boozy antics at the weekend.
Rooney's side put in an impressive performance to win 1-0 over the LaLiga side at Pride Park - thanks to a Max Bird strike four minutes from time.
Rams boss Roo's £4.5million-a-year job was on a knife edge after the father-of-four was pictured passed-out and surrounded by semi-naked girls in a Manchester hotel room.
The pictures of Rooney, 35, went viral, to the fury of Rams owner Mel Morris and his board, who are currently trying to attract new potential buyers to the ailing Championship club.
Derby's top brass had imposed a zero-tolerance policy to restore the Rams' battered public image after star players Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett were convicted over a drink-drive smash in 2018.
However, despite their anger, club chiefs pulled back from the brink of bulleting Rooney following a tense meeting.
SunSport understands Rooney was left in no doubt about the standards he is expected to set as the club's manager and high-profile figurehead.
But there was no appetite within the club to axe Rooney and risk a potential lengthy legal battle over whether he broke any of the terms of his contract, which currently has two years remaining on it.
After the game, Rooney apologised and said: "I made a mistake. I went to a private party with two of my friends.
"From me, I would like to apologise to my family and the club for the images which were going round.
"I want to move forward on this. I'm grateful to Derby County for giving me this opportunity to get this club back to where it belongs.
"I will do everything in my power to do that."
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He was asked if he felt the victim and said: "Yes, but I don't really want to go into that.
"Listen, it's dealt with and I'm looking forward to moving forward and preparing for another game on Sunday."
Rooney's hefty wage bill is currently funded by club sponsors, web casino 32Red.
England's greatest ever goalscorer was already under pressure after a late season slump saw Derby narrowly avoid relegation on the final day of last season.
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