‘There’s Not Many Better Games To Start With’

An opening day trip to Sunderland was always going to whet the appetite for what is to come.

That’s not just for the supporters, but the players too. Richard Keogh confirmed as much in an interview with RamsTV by saying that ‘there’s not many better matches to open up a season with at this level’.

As well as getting their own respective campaigns underway, the Rams’ highly-anticipated away clash with the Black Cats, at a packed-out Stadium of Light, will also act as the curtain-raiser for the 2017/18 EFL season.

It’s easy to see the attraction.

Sunderland, fresh off the back of their relegation from the top flight, are back in the second tier for the first time in a decade and are a very much viewed as a big fish in the second tier.

On the other hand, Derby, under Gary Rowett, are being tipped once again to be amongst the sides battling for a top-six finish.

Sitting down to complete the familiar pre-match media duties with RamsTV, Keogh, the 30-year-old Derby captain, said that the squad have to ignore Sunderland’s recent troubles and focus on just what is in front of them – a side that still contains a number of quality individuals.

He said: “I think it is going to be obviously, first and foremost, a tough game.

“Sunderland have gone through what they have, but if you strip it all back they have got a very good manager, one who knows the league very well and has been successful at all the clubs he has been with.

“I know a few of the lads there too from playing with them in the Ireland set-up and they have got quality in their squad. We know it is going to be a tough game.”

Off the back of their relegation from the Premier League last season, Keogh is also anticipating that Sunderland will be desperate to make a positive start in front of their own supporters on Friday night.

From a Derby perspective, though, the Republic of Ireland international defender is keen to avoid getting too wrapped up in what comes with the opening fixture of the season.

Instead, he wants the squad to travel to the North East with the aim of building on the good work that has been put in place over pre-season.

“They are going to want to put a marker down in front of their own supporters and get them on side for the season, but we have just got to go there and do what we have been doing throughout pre-season,” Keogh added.

“We have shown some good stuff. There’s still some stuff that we have got to improve on, which the manager has touched upon, but we have been looking pretty good.

“We have got to make sure that we go out there and enjoy the game, because there’s not many better matches to open up a season with at this level.”

He added: “All of our hard work over pre-season has come down to this. The only way to view it is that it is an opportunity to get off to a good start.

“That’s important, but the manager has mentioned it again this week that it is just one part of the journey we are on. We’re all in it together and it starts on Friday.”