3/1 To Win
Manager Frank Lampard has paid tribute to Richard Keogh after the defender made his 300th appearance for Derby County Football Club on Saturday.
The 32-year-old became the first player since Michael Forsyth to reach the feat and currently sits 29th in the all-time list of appearance makers for the club.
Lampard knows all about longevity at a football club due to his 13 seasons and 649 appearances at Premier League side Chelsea and he praised the defender for reaching the milestone.
“It’s a testament to Keogh as a player because to keep getting picked that regularly is one thing but as a professional to stay fit for that many games is another thing,” Lampard told RamsTV. “For me, he has been fantastic in the dressing room.
“You need leaders and you need characters and that’s what he is. He feels the club and the fans. You see from his goal celebration against Preston what it means to him and I love that. That’s what I want throughout the dressing room.
“It’s a great achievement for him, 300 games at a really high standard. He’s also captained his country so that shows his talent and ability but also his drive and personality.”
Since the manager walked through the door, he has been impressed with the attitude and application of Keogh, someone who he believes can be a positive influence on the younger members of his squad.
“When you get the other side of 30, you try and help the players around you,” said Lampard. “That’s the responsibility for an older player. That’s the development in yourself as a person and a player and Richard has that.
“He is interested in the coaching side, he is interested when he talks to me and the staff and he’s great to have in the dressing room. For a player who wants to listen and ask questions is what we want from him.
“He is huge for us, we all respect him and appreciate him. I hope he gets a special ovation tomorrow night and I’m sure he will for that achievement in that space of time.”
