KEITH CURLE probably hopes tomorrow’s FA Cup clash with Wayne Rooney is not a nail-biter.
At least, for his daughter’s sake. For Northampton boss Curle heads into their fourth-round tie against Derby with a divided family. . . sort of.
Because beautician daughter Natasha is Coleen Rooney’s manicurist!
Curle, 56, explained: “She does Wayne’s wife’s nails and has done for a good few years.
“She is a self-employed beautician in Manchester with her own company.
“Over the years their relationship has grown and they have become good friends. Natasha is very private and trustworthy.
“So when the fourth-round Cup draw was made, they phoned each other up and said, ‘Oh no!’”
Curle added: “Natasha is 31 and she keeps herself to herself.
“She’s on holiday in Tenerife at the moment but says she will be watching the game.”
Curle’s playing career — he starred as a defender for Manchester City, Wolves and Wimbledon among others — was coming to an end when Rooney burst on to the scene with Everton as a 16-year-old prodigy in 2002.
Now after also starring for Manchester United and England, plus DC United in America’s MLS, Rooney, 34, is back on the FA Cup trail, having won the competition back in 2016.
Curle, an FA Cup semi-finalist, is in no doubt as to Rams player-coach Roo’s contribution to football in this country.
He said: “For me, Wayne is the best British player of the century so far.
“What he has achieved is immense. He burst on to the scene, flourished at Manchester United and became an icon.
“His goals, the way he plays the game, it’s phenomenal. He’s such a good ambassador.”
Curle had seen his best playing days when Rooney stunned the world with that debut goal against Arsenal — and cannot remember ever facing him.
Ahead of taking on the Championship outfit, Curle said: “I don’t think I ever played against him . . . or kicked him!”
Now he has to stop the former England skipper in front of the live TV cameras at the Cobblers, who sit sixth in League Two.
For many, it is the biggest sporting attraction to hit the East Midlands market town since George Best scored six for Manchester United in a fifth-round FA Cup tie in 1970.
