England's Players Will Be Reminded of Rooney... In a Bizarre Way
England's players will be reminded of a national football hero in a somewhat bizarre way when they take on Finland. The Three Lions will be looking to make it two wins from two under Lee Carsley in the Nations League fixture on Tuesday, but one of their opposite numbers will have extra motivation to stop them in their tracks.
Topi Keskinen is a 21-year-old forward who recently received his first senior call-up for Finland, making his debut off the bench in their last match, a 3-0 defeat to Greece. His arrival on the international stage comes just weeks after he joined Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen for a fee of £850,000 from HJK Helsinki, making him their second most expensive signing.
And while his name may not be one that England's players are overly familiar with, his body art features someone who they will certainly know. On his arm, the Dons front man has a tattoo of England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney holding a fishing rod.
Though the image may seem a rather strange choice of ink, the Finland star has revealed that the unique idea, which he designed himself, made perfect sense to him. Speaking to the Daily Mirror in a recent interview, he explained the permanent tribute, saying: “To be honest, it is not such a wonderful tattoo because I designed it myself.
“It has become a bigger deal than I thought it would, especially since I moved to Scotland.
“I have always liked the style of British football. If I get tattoos, I want them to mean something. I was a United fan as a kid and also Rooney - and I also love fishing.”
A Tattoo Inspired By Rooney's Fishing Trips
Keskinen's eye-catching ink is not his only feature that the England squad will be wary of. The former HJK striker is known for his pace and dribbling ability, traits which he showcased in Europa Conference League group stage encounters between his past and current employers last term.
Keskinen netted seven goals in 23 games in his final season in his home country as his side were crowned Finnish champions, drawing interest from Blackburn and Middlesbrough before he decided on a move to Pittodrie.
The promising youngster got off to a flying start in Scotland when he netted the winning goal on his debut, coming off the bench to seal a 1-0 victory over Queen's Park in the Scottish Cup.
With two goals for Finland at Under-21 level, Keskinen will be hoping he can take inspiration from his footballing hero as he looks to announce himself on the international stage against England.
Rooney's Legacy: Inspiring The Next Generation
The most capped outfield player in Three Lions history with 120 appearances, former England captain Rooney was also his country's all-time record goalscorer for a time when he broke Sir Bobby Charlton's long-standing record in 2015. Having retired from international duty with 53 goals in 2018, his tally has since been overtaken by current skipper Harry Kane, who is in line to make more history of his own against Keskinen and co.
Kane is expected to earn his 100th cap in the upcoming match at Wembley, as England look to follow up on their 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland. Goals from former Irish international Declan Rice and ex-Ireland youth player Jack Grealish gave Lee Carsley the perfect start as interim boss, as as he looks to stake a claim for the senior job on a permanent basis.
Can Keskinen Inspire An Upset?
England meet Finland in their next UEFA Nations League match at Wembley on Tuesday night and young striker Topi Keskinen is out to down Lee Carsley's side in their own backyard. When England face Finland at Wembley on Tuesday night they will be up against a striker who has a tattoo of Wayne Rooney holding a fishing rod.
Topi Keskinen is a 21-year-old who has been called into Marko Kanerva’s squad for the first time after playing just two games for Aberdeen following his club-record £860,000 arrival from HJK Helsinki this summer. Two of his favourite things growing up were former Manchester United forward Rooney and catching fish - so when he decided to get himself inked it made sense for him to combine both.
“To be honest, it is not such a wonderful tattoo because I designed it myself,” said Keskinen. “It has become a bigger deal than I thought it would, especially since I moved to Scotland.
“I have always liked the style of British football. If I get tattoos, I want them to mean something. I was a United fan as a kid and also Rooney - and I also love fishing.”
Keskinen impressed Dons bosses when he played against them in the Europa Conference League last season. He also scored 14 goals as HJK were crowned Finnish champions. Keskinen attracted interest from both Blackburn and Middlesbrough before signing for the Scottish club - and he announced himself in perfect style by coming off the bench to score the winner against Queens Park in the Scottish League Cup.
He then made his full debut in the 2-0 SPL victory over Kilmarnock last Saturday and has been rewarded by his first call-up into Finland’s squad after winning eight caps at Under-21 level.
Former Tottenham midfielder Teemu Tainio is part of Finland’s coaching team - and he has fond memories of Wembley. The 44-year-old, who is also manager of Estonian club Tallinna Kalev, was in the Spurs team that beat Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup Final, the last trophy the London club lifted.
Tainio said: “A game against the Euro finalists is a great opportunity for us - and the last time I was at Wembley, I left with the cup!”
A Lasting Legacy
It might have been six years since Wayne Rooney last put on an England shirt but the former Manchester United man is an inspiration to one Finland international. The Three Lions are looking to continue their winning start in the Nations League under new interim boss Lee Carsley as they host Finland at Wembley. A win over the Republic of Ireland at the weekend saw England put their Euros heartbreak behind them.
Now that they're competing in League B of the Nations League, the Three Lions will be facing easier opponents, but one Finland star will be channeling his inner Rooney in the hope of firing his nation to a glorious upset tonight.
“To be honest, it is not such a wonderful tattoo because I designed it myself. It has become a bigger deal than I thought it would, especially since I moved to Scotland,” said Keskinen. He has a love for fishing as well as Rooney so bizarrely decided to combine both in the form of a tatoo.
He continued: “I have always liked the style of British football. If I get tattoos, I want them to mean something. I was a United fan as a kid and also Rooney - and I also love fishing.”
Keskinen will have to put his love for both of them to one side tonight and focus on helping his country pull off an unlikely shock.
