Sam Szmodics’ 100th league goal kept Derby firmly in the Championship play-off hunt thanks to a 1-0 win at Portsmouth, but the Rams are expected to have interest in one of their rising stars from Celtic and Rangers.
Derby kept their playoff hopes alive with a win at Portsmouth
Ipswich loanee Szmodics, who has played for Colchester, Blackburn, Peterborough and Bristol City, scored the only goal of the game in the eighth minute, after being given space in the penalty box.
It meant the Rams ended their three game losing streak and sit just three points outside the top six.
For Portsmouth, they lost their fourth game in a row at Fratton Park for the first time since the 2013/14 season, are unbeaten against Derby in 12 attempts and are just one point clear at the top.
Next up for the Rams could be six points in the race for the top six, with Birmingham City visiting Pride Park on Saturday afternoon, with John Eustace facing something of an injury problem against the big-spending Blues.
Josh Vickers, Jacob Widell Zetterström, Max Johnston, Sondre Langås, Danny Batth, Liam Thompson, Lars Jorgen-Salvesen and Callum Elder are all likely to miss out, the manager said.
“We will have to wait and see. I think most of the injured now will be back after the international break.”
And the former Blackburn boss could suffer again in the coming months, with news that one of his rising stars of the past few weeks is now a wanted man.
Celtic overtake Rangers in race for Derry Murkin
Indeed, despite only signing from FC Utrecht in the winter transfer window for around £1.7m, Derby defender Derry Murkin is on the radars of both Celtic and Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, Football FanCast sources understand.
Murkin has been a sensation for the Rams since joining on deadline day, ranking as the club’s top scorer with two assists in seven championship games.
|
Derby’s top Championship players |
Estimated Rate |
|---|---|
|
Derry Murkin |
7.18 |
|
Matt Clarke |
7.13 |
|
Callum’s elder |
6.97 |
|
Sondre Langås |
6.95 |
|
Carlton Morris |
6.94 |
Celtic will be in the market for a new left-back this summer if they miss out on Marcelo Saracchi’s permanent deal, and the Hoops’ interest appears to be very serious at this point.
The Rangers are expected to improve defensively this summer, with reinforcements needed behind Danny Rohl.
There are questions about the future of Emmanuel Fernandez, who is wanted by West Ham, and James Tavernier, who is out of contract.
Murkin can play up and down the left side, but is at his best as an out-and-out defender in the back four.
Rangers made a U-turn with West Ham, Arsenal and Chelsea
The Gers star is a wanted man.
