, Derby County manager heaps praise on back-up goalkeeper

Derby County manager heaps praise on back-up goalkeeper

Derby County manager Frank Lampard feels confident in starting back-up goalkeeper Kelle Roos after his performances in the Rams’ last two matches.

Roos started during Derby’s thrilling FA Cup replay penalty shootout victory over Southampton earlier this week, and with Scott Carson missing today’s 2-1 victory over Reading at Pride Park with a knee injury, the Dutch stopper was rewarded with his first ever start for them in the Sky Bet Championship.

Despite being a Derby player since 2014, the 26-year-old had not made a league appearance for the Rams, with his only taste of Championship experience prior to today coming during a brief loan spell with Rotherham United in 2015.

He has also spent time on loan with AFC Wimbledon, Bristol Rovers, Port Vale and Plymouth Argyle, but Lampard has been satisfied with Roos’ recent displays and feels confident that he has an alternative goalkeeper to choose from when Carson is unavailable, which he feels is vital in their push for promotion.

Lampard said: “I am very impressed and very pleased for Kelle because the number two goalkeeping role is not an easy one because you work hard every day and you don’t get the feeling of the matchday.

“You have to stay calm and stay professional and when he’s come in a very difficult, tense game the other day against Southampton and again today in another tense game, he looked calm and assured and he deserved that for his professionalism and qualities that he has got.

“If you are a team which is challenging, whether it is the Champions League, Premier League, Championship, you need to have people pushing in all positions and the goalkeeper one is crucial and we can’t forget it.

“Without a doubt, it’s important that we have Kelle performing at that level as he did, and it is good for everybody.”

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