Plymouth match-winner Michael Obafemi was told to ‘get on and score’ by Wayne Rooney before doing exactly that on Tuesday night.
The striker came off the bench to grab the winner for Argyle as they beat Portsmouth 1-0 at Home Park in a Championship basement battle.
Obafemi replaced Andre Gray for the final 20 minutes with the match still goalless.
He needed just 12 to make the difference, though, as he capitalised on a mistake from Regan Poole to score with only his third touch in the 82nd minute.
After the match, Obafemi was asked what Plymouth boss Rooney had said to him before he came on.
The 24-year-old, who was named player of the match, revealed to Sky Sports that the simple and clear instruction: “Get on and score.”
He added: “He’s a great guy and I appreciate all the advice he’s been giving me. Thankfully, I could reward the team and him today.”
Obafemi’s strike is just his second for the club since signing on loan from Burnley in August.
He previously found the net in the 2-1 home win over Blackburn in October.
His strike on Tuesday also ended a four-match winless run for the Pilgrims, dating back to that victory over Rovers.
It also lifts Plymouth out of the Championship relegation zone with their fourth win of the season.
Argyle move up two places to 20th, having leapfrogged Luton and Preston ahead of their matches on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Pompey remain rooted to the foot of the table on their return to the second tier.
Another win this weekend could see his side climb into the top half depending on results elsewhere between now and Saturday.
Rooney will be hoping Obafemi can continue his scoring form away to the manager’s old side Derby on Saturday.
The former Rams boss spent almost two years in charge at Pride Park after initially serving as caretaker manager during the 2020/21 season.
