Over to you ‘Wayney boy’

Norway front man Erling Haaland took a playful swipe at Wayne Rooney, asking the former England star to follow through on his words and go on a rowing trip along the River Mersey in the northwest of England.

Rooney, now a BBC pundit, had cheekily said in an interview that he would row in Merseyside if Norway made the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

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Norway knocked pre-tournament favourites Brazil out with a 2-1 victory in the round of 16, with Haaland scoring both goals. The result meant that Norway set up Sunday’s last-eight clash with England.

Haaland, however, did not let Rooney forget what he had said in a light-hearted video on his social media.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Wayne, Wayney boy. I'm looking forward to seeing Wayne Rooney rowing down in Liverpool," Haaland said ahead of Saturday's game. "That's all I want to see now. Wayne Rooney, I expect you to go out on a rowing trip."

Rooney, a Manchester United legend, has strong Merseyside roots, having started as a youth player in Everton.

“If Norway get to the quarterfinals, I’ll go in the River Mersey and I’ll row down it,” Rooney had said.

Norway’s Viking row has become one of the defining images of this World Cup, featuring after every Norwegian victory. The sea of Norway supporters have performed the iconic celebration to the thunderous chant of ‘Ro!’, with Haaland leading the charge on the drums after their stunning win over Brazil.

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Caption Photo: Reuters

Rooney was more than ready to follow through on his river adventure upon Haaland’s remarks.

“I’m a man of my word. Micah [Richards] has agreed to do it with me,” he said during his broadcasting role.

While Rooney has vowed to get his fellow pundits involved, he said he would do his rowing in New York rather than Liverpool.