Wayne Rooney was bursting with pride after seeing younger brother John Rooney’s Macclesfield dump holders Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Macclesfield became the first sixth-tier side to ever knock out Premier League opposition in a 2-1 win at Moss Rose.

The 117 places that separate the clubs in the English football pyramid is the most ever overcome by an underdog in FA Cup history.

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“I’m getting emotional,” said former England captain Wayne Rooney, who was part of the BBC commentary team.

“To see my younger brother, who’s not long been a manager, beat a Premier League team…. I’m so proud. It’s such an achievement. What he’s achieved today, absolutely superb.”

READ: Sixth-tier Macclesfield stun FA Cup holders

The monumental feat was all the more poignant for the Silkmen after the death of forward Ethan McLeod less than a month ago.

McLeod, 21, died when driving back from the club’s game at Bedford on December 16.

“I had a nice message off his dad last night, and I was to send it to the lads or to tell them before the game, but I didn’t really want to put that little extra bit of pressure on them with everything we’ve been through,” said John Rooney.

“So I thought I’d leave that until after the game. We need to go and see them (his parents) as well. It’s been a really tough time.

“We’ve all stuck together through it. It’s never, ever going to get easier. We’ve still got pictures up in the changing rooms that never go.”

— AFP

Photo: BBC