Wayne Rooney rips into Derby for lacking urgency and composure but says he can help get them promoted to Premier League

WAYNE ROONEY slammed Derby for lacking composure – but has set his sights on helping the club achieve promotion to the Premier League.

England’s all-time top scorer, 34, joined the Rams as player-coach in August from MLS side DC United.

The former Manchester United forward isn’t registered to play for Phillip Cocu’s side until the transfer window opens in January.

But after watching his team-mates closely from the dugout, Rooney has realised where it has all been going wrong.

Derby are 16th in the Championship table after winning just six times in 21 attempts.

When asked why the Rams have struggled with consistency, he said: “I can only speak about three games I’ve been too.

“In the three games I’ve been at there has been a lack of urgency and composure and we haven’t created enough chances.

“It’s something we’re going to put right.

“The Sheffield Wednesday game for example, we allowed ourselves to be dragged into their game. We know we can do it better, we’ve seen it in training.”

Rooney scored 23 goals in 41 league goals during his spell with DC United after he joined them in July 2018.

The 34-year-old, who joined Derby on an initial 18-month deal, wants to see Derby challenge for a spot in the play-offs.

When discussing the differences between Derby and DC United, he said: “The difference here is it’s a really tight league.

“We are not where we want to be, but are not far away. The league is about being consistent, if we can do that then we have still got a chance of the play-offs.

“As I’ve said before, we are 8-9 points off the play-offs, so it can be done.”