Sam Schmodics’ 100th league goal secured Derby a place in the Championship play-offs with a 1-0 win over Portsmouth, but Rams are wary of interest from both Celtic and Rangers for their budding star.
Derby keep play-off hopes alive with win over Portsmouth
Ipswich loanee Schmodics, who also played for Colchester, Blackburn, Peterborough and Bristol City, scored the only goal of the match in the eighth minute after being given space in the penalty area.
This meant the Rams snapped a three-game losing streak on the road and sit just three points out of the top six.
For Portsmouth, it was their first four consecutive defeats at Fratton Park since the 2013/14 season, and they have failed to win a derby in 12 attempts, leaving them languishing just one point above the drop zone.
The Rams’ next game could be a six-point shot in the race for the top six, with Birmingham City traveling to Pride Park on Saturday afternoon, but John Eustace faces an injury crisis against the costly Blues.
Josh Vickers, Jacob Widell Zetterström, Max Johnston, Sondre Langas, Danny Butt, Liam Thompson, Lars-Jorgen Salvesen and Callum Elder could all be unavailable, the manager confirmed.
“We’ll have to wait and see. I think most of the injuries we have now will come back after the international break.”
And the former Blackburn manager could be dealt a further blow in the coming months with news that one of his brightest stars in recent weeks is now wanted.
Celtic ahead of Rangers in race to sign Derry Markin
Indeed, despite only signing from FC Utrecht for a fee of around £1.7m in the winter transfer window, Derby left-back Derry Markin is attracting interest from both Celtic and Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, Football FanCast sources understand.
Mirkin has been phenomenal for the Rams since joining on deadline day, ranking as the club’s best-performing player with two assists in seven Championship appearances.
Top Derby Championship Results | Evaluation based on whose score |
|---|---|
delhi merkin | 7.18 |
matt clarke | 7.13 |
Callum Elder | 6.97 |
Sondre Langas | 6.95 |
carlton morris | 6.94 |
Celtic are set to enter the market for a new left-back this summer if they fail to sign Marcelo Saracchi permanently, and the Hoops’ interest appears to be more serious at the moment.
Rangers are expected to undergo some defensive overhaul this summer, with Danny Rohr’s backline in need of reinforcements.
There are doubts about the departure of Emmanuel Fernandes, who West Ham are targeting, and James Tavernier, whose contract is nearing expiration.
Markin can play up or down the left flank, but he is at his best as a full-back in the back four.
Rangers, West Ham, Arsenal, Chelsea keen to U-turn player sent off
Gers’ star is a man in demand.
