3/1 To Win
Chris Baird says it is a ‘fantastic honour’ to have been named as Derby County’s new Captain by Paul Clement ahead of the 2015/16 season.
Chris Baird says it is a ‘fantastic honour’ to have been named as Derby County’s new Captain by Paul Clement ahead of the 2015/16 season.
The 33-year-old was handed the armband for the majority of the Rams’ pre-season campaign, but Clement, Derby’s Head Coach, has moved to give the versatile operator the title on a full time basis.
Speaking to Rams Player HD on the announcement, Baird said: “It’s a fantastic honour for myself. It’s great to see that the boss has got that faith in me to do this role and it’s one that I’m looking forward to do for this club.
“Most of the lads have been calling me ‘skipper’ anyway, but it was something that I had to keep quiet about until it was confirmed.
“I am delighted, it’s an honour and now I’m just looking forward to getting stuck in.”
In the first pre-match press conference of the new season, questions turned to what qualities he has shown since he joined the club in June and what he is going to do over the coming year.
“It’s about the way that I conduct myself on and off the pitch that is important and that’s something I have taken into consideration during pre-season,” Baird added.
“We have spoken about the different positions that I can cover and that’s something that I think I have done really well.
“The Head Coach has told me to continue that, be vocal, which I have been, and on top of that it is about encouraging everyone.
“If someone else was the Captain, I would expect them to do the same thing for me.”
Although he has worn the Captain’s armband on several occasions in his career – both for club and country – Baird will be undertaking his first season as the named skipper.
The Northern Ireland international, though, believes there are a number of leaders within the Rams’ squad – old and new – that will be able to aid him and the rest of the squad.
Baird added: “I have never really had it before at previous clubs, but it’s a big task for me, but it’s one that I’m really looking forward to. Hopefully it’s going to be a great season for me and the rest of the players.
“There were always going to be three or four options for it. There are players that were here before, like Chris Martin and Richard Keogh, and it wasn’t in my head.
“It’s nice to have it, but are there are a lot of leaders at this club – new ones as well who have joined over the summer like Jason Shackell and Alex Pearce.
“I’ll offer help and advice if it is needed, but I’m just really looking forward to the role.”
