Royal Blue: Everton FC prospect Ross Barkley is a true-blue even in these post-Rooney times

Dec 17 2011 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo

EVERTONIANS take their young heroes with the slightest pinch of salt post-Wayne Rooney.

The days of that wide-eyed ‘Once A Blue Always A Blue’ naivety, when I once heard an over-excited fan cry “Go ‘ed there Baby Jesus” as the Croxteth Boy-Wonder closed in on goal, are over.

But that doesn’t mean there is not something heart-warming in Ross Barkley’s decision to sign a new deal.

Widely considered as both Everton and England’s best young prospect since Rooney, Barkley needed no persuading. Nor is there anything cynical – or cunning – in his appreciation of Everton and manager David Moyes. The 18-year-old is not biding his time by signing, with one eye on Chelsea and the Champions League.

He genuinely loves life at Everton and remains grateful for how the club looked after him in the wake of his triple leg break.

He may not be ready to tear up Premier League defences just yet. But when he is, it will be in a shirt he genuinely values.