Hinton: "Happy Teams Are Good Teams"

Derby County legend Alan Hinton is confident Derby County's player have what it takes to secure their place in the Premier League next season.

On the 50th anniversary of the winger and the Rams being crowned Second Division champions and earning promotion to the First Division, Hinton made the trip from United States to watch Derby clinch a place in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final with victory over Leeds United.

A win that was even sweeter for Hinton who set the foundations of the rivalry between the Rams and the Whites in the 1970s.

“It is a precious time,” Hinton told RamsTV at the club’s Access All Eras event last week.

“The bottom line is Derby played very, very well and the momentum now will be with them. Aston Villa had a tough series against West Brom. There's one game to go.”

As the Rams prepare for their trip to Wembley Stadium to face Villa, Hinton praised the togetherness and unity he has seen from the squad and hopes that can give them the edge

He said: “Dave Mackay used to say: ‘winning is easy’.

"Frank Lampard seems to be really enjoying himself, the club is happy and happy teams are good teams.

“I think Derby County can go through to the Premier League which will make us all very happy and very proud.”