Wayne Rooney on his second debut with Everton (Getty)

Wayne Rooney made his second Everton debut on Thursday night and his first in Europe with his boyhood club.

It was a big occasion for the England striker. Prior to the match he spoke of his excitement.

‘Something I always wanted to do was play in Europe with Everton,’ he said before the Europa League third-round qualifier against Slovakian side MFK Ruzomberok.

‘I was a bit disappointed not to do that before but now I’ll have a chance. Obviously I won the trophy last year so I’m hoping as a club we can go far and, you never know, try to win it. It would be even better.’

Rooney running out at Goodison Park (Getty)

Of course everyone remembers his Manchester United debut, against Fenerbahce in the Champions League.

On that night the then teenage Rooney scored a hat-trick that announced him to the world.

Wayne Rooney on his Manchester United debut in 2004 (Getty)

So how did his European debut for Everton compare? Not well.

Wearing the No.10 jersey Rooney endured a long night at Goodison Park. While there were a few flashes of the quality he once oozed, the evening will be better remembered for his bloopers.

In the first half an attempt at goal resulted in an embarrassing air-kick. But it was his second half effort at a Hollywood return to Everton that stood out.

Hoping to see his 40-yard effort fly into the top corner, Rooney instead watched on as it looped into the back of the stands.

Rooney picked the ball up on the left
He saw an chance at glory – and went for it
But the ball went a mile over the bar

Everton fans had the good grace to sing his name afterwards – but it wasn’t quite what they had hoped to be singing about.

Speaking after the 1-0 win, secured with a deflected Leighton Baines effort, Rooney said: ‘It’s our first 90 minutes for a lot of us. We know we can play better than we did.’

MORE : Ronald Koeman confirms Ross Barkley will leave Everton this summer