Hatters midfielder left 'starstruck' when facing former England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney

Hatters midfielder Glen Rea admitted he was left starstruck when sharing a pitch with England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney earlier this season.

The 25-year-old was making only his third start of the campaign for Luton after battling back from a serious knee injury, when he went up against the attacker who is the Three Lions' and Red Devils' leading goalscorer.

It was Rea who came out on top too, as despite Rooney opening the scoring with his first Rams strike, Town hit back to lead 2-1 thanks to goals from Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Donervon Daniels.

Ex-Town forward Chris Martin then levelled, only for Jayden Bogle to put through his own net with four minutes to go, as Luton stole a precious three points.

On facing Rooney, Rea said: “The Derby game I really enjoyed, as that was my first game back at the Kenny (since being injured).

"That was amazing, it was unreal, I loved that.

“I was a bit starstruck actually, well majorly starstuck.

"I just tried to just get it out of my head that that’s Wayne Rooney, but it didn’t get out of my head, as it was Wayne Rooney, that was unreal.”

That victory ranks highest in Rea's memory banks of best moments in his 148-game stint since arriving at the club back in March 2016 too.

When asked by members of the club's academy via YouTube, he added: "There's been a couple, we’ve had a good time since I’ve been here.

"Swindon away, when we won 5-0, that was a great day, getting promoted at Carlisle was a good day as well.

"So I'd have to say the Swindon one, or the Derby one this year I really enjoyed as well.

"That was amazing, that probably tops the other two, that was unreal, I loved that."