Rowett Reveals Why He Thinks So Highly Of Keogh

Gary Rowett says he has nothing but high regard for Richard Keogh - and he’s delighted that the influential defender has committed his long-term future to Derby County.

The centre-back put pen-to-paper on a new deal, which will run until the summer of 2021, on Friday.

Keogh, 31, joined Derby in the summer of 2012 from Coventry City and his new contract will take him into nine years at Pride Park Stadium.

The Rams’ skipper has been a mainstay in the side ever since his arrival and he has racked up 276 appearances in a Derby shirt.

The Republic of Ireland international has been named as Derby’s Player of the Year on two occasions, in 2012/13 and 2015/16, and he was also named in the Sky Bet Championship’s Team of the Year by his peers in 2014/15.

Rowett regards Keogh signing a new contract as fantastic news for the club and he says his performances at the heart of the defence, above all else, have been impressive.

Rowett told RamsTV: “Rich has been a fantastic servant for this football club over the last few years and he was very keen to commit his future for the long-term.

“He is really settled in the area and has played a massive part at this club.

“In some ways there has been a lot of pressure on his shoulders because the club has almost got into the Premier League and he has been a mainstay during that time.

“Since I have been here as manager he has been fantastic. He’s been a real leader and his performances, above all else, has meant he has been a regular in the team.

“I have nothing but high regard for Rich and it’s fantastic that we have been able to tie him down for longer.”

Rowett has a strong relationship with his captain and it’s one that he sees as a vital one.

Keogh is one of a number of senior players in the Derby dressing room and his opinion is highly respected by the Derby boss.

“He is a real link for me to the dressing room,” he said.

“I see Rich, Curtis Davies and Scott Carson in a similar way in the sense that I will pull them in for their opinion on things.

“They know how the group feels and will make decisions on things themselves, which I am happy for them to do.

“Rich, in particular, is someone I’ll sit down with regularly and chat over a few things. I have a good relationship with him and you need a strong relationship with your captain as a manager.

“You want someone who is going to portray your values out on the pitch and he does that really well.”