WAYNE ROONEY and Luke Littler feel a certain level of “arrogance” helped them light up the sporting world as teenagers.
Both burst onto the scene at 16, with Rooney scoring a jaw-dropping goal for Everton against Arsenal before soon making his England debut and move to Manchester United at the start of an outstanding career.

Darts sensation Littler enjoyed a similarly breakneck rise 20 years on, reaching the final of his first-ever World Championship aged 16 before winning back-to-back titles at Alexandra Palace.

The pair have spoken about their respective journeys on the BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show podcast, with the former England star saying: “I’ve always had belief, and this is where I think there’s loads of comparisons [between us].

“I think you have to have a certain level of arrogance to be at your best, and that’s not in a bad way.

“From when I was younger I felt that. When I got in Everton’s first team, I’ve said it many times, I felt like I was the best player at 16.

“Then I moved to Man United, then with England and stuff, you feel you can always make a difference.”

While Rooney shone within a team, Littler, still only 19, displays the attitude and aptitude to step up to the oche on his own.

“Obviously I’ve been playing tournament-wise for many years,” Littler said. “I think maybe my first proper tournament was at like nine, maybe 10.

“And just like Wayne said, you show a bit of arrogance. The more you do it, obviously people might not like it, but as long as you feel comfortable about doing it, that’s all that matters.”