Beating Derby County on his return to Kenilworth Road is Glen Rea’s favourite ever Luton match, despite the midfielder admitting he was starstruck throughout, having to face England’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.
The midfielder was answering questions from the club’s academy players on Town’s YouTube channel while in lockdown due to the Coronavirus and also revealed that he’s taken up yoga, meditation and reading to get him through the days, while football is shutdown.
Asked about his favourite game for Luton, the 25-year-old mentioned Swindon away on Boxing Day 2017, when Town won 5-0 in League Two, and also getting promoted out of the fourth tier at Carlisle two years ago, a match which marked it’s second anniversary yesterday.
But then he remembered this season’s big 3-2 home Championship win against the Rams on January 28, with all five goals coming in the final 30 minutes.
It was Rea’s first game back at Kenilworth Road for 13 months due to a knee injury, and Rooney opened the scoring with a shot deflected off Donervon Daniels.
But the defender put Town ahead with a bullet header – his first goal in four years – after Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s banger levelled up quickly.
Former Town striker Chris Martin struck to put Derby back on terms, but a Jayden Bogle own goal two minutes from time, earned the Hatters a first victory in nine games.
“That was amazing, actually,” Rea said, adding: “That probably tops the other two (Swindon and Carlisle). That was unreal, I loved that.”
Asked about facing off against Rooney, the former Brighton youth added: “I was a bit starstruck, actually, well, majorly starstruck. I just tried to get it out of my head that that was Wayne Rooney. It didn’t get out of my head because it was Wayne Rooney.
“That was unreal. That was a good day.”
Last week EFL chairman Rick Parry announced the intention to finish the current season, with Town sat second from bottom int he Championship, six points from safety.
There is a provisional date of May 16 which is the earliest date players will be allowed back to training, but asked what he does when not playing football, Rea revealed: “I do yoga everyday now. I started meditating, which I feel really helps.
“I actually read now. I couldn’t have told you four months ago if I’d ever picked up a book in my life. Since this lockdown, I’ve been reading. I’ve read a whole book and I’m on to my next book. I’m loving it, mate.”