Luke Rooney goes on the attack for Gillingham against Shrewsbury on Saturday Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Luke Rooney is hoping that he has done enough to earn the run in the Gillingham side that he craves.

The attacking midfielder started his first game for the Gills this season on Saturday and Rooney felt that he did enough to keep his place despite the defeat.

"I was just buzzing to start," said the 20-year-old. "I felt like I did really well in the first half and even in the second until cramp set in.

"We are gutted and bitterly disappointed to have lost right at the death and it is even more disappointing after losing last week.

"We wanted to bounce back but we haven’t done that. In football though there is always another game."

Rooney’s Gillingham career has so far been restricted to appearances from the bench. In his 40 league outings, 35 have been as a substitute. He is determined to shake off the "impact player" tag and claim a regular start in the side.

"I see this as my chance now," he said. "I have never played two games in a row and I have mentioned that to the gaffer.

"Looking at it from a personal note I think I did myself justice (on Saturday). Without getting ahead of myself I feel that if I was given a run in the team I will only get better.

"If I was to have five or six games, or whatever, then I would only get better and there would be no stopping me."

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