3/1 To Win
Kelle Roos said he felt sharp on what proved to be a busy afternoon for the goalkeeper as Derby County concluded their pre-season preparations against Rangers on Sunday afternoon.
The Rams’ goalkeeper was called into action and pulled out a handful of brilliant saves throughout the first full 90 minutes of football he has played this pre-season in a defensive test for Phillip Cocu’s side.
In the dying minutes of the game, Nikola Katic’s header from a corner was the difference as the Scottish giants ran out 1-0 winners.
Roos felt like the Rams showed some moments of quality as they banked more minutes ahead of the Sky Bet Championship campaign against Steven Gerrard’s side, who were playing their seventh pre-season fixture which has included Europa League qualifiers - and they have conceded just one goal while scoring 23 in the process.
“It was busy, I felt good out there and I think I made a couple of good saves,” Roos told RamsTV following the final whistle.
“I think the team looked good at times as well. Rangers are a good team and the move the ball well and caused us some trouble with upcoming full-backs and the early crosses.
“We faced a very good team and they are a bit further on than us in pre-season – we just have another week or so to work hard and I think we will be fine.”
He added: “They have a great set up here, a great team and they showed that today with the players that came off the bench, the ones that started there are some big names and there is quality – just like us.
“I think today they showed a little bit more legs by the end, but I think that is normal in this moment in time.”
The Dutchman wasn’t in action in the clash against Spanish side Girona on Thursday as others got minutes under their belts.
However, the 27-year-old was put through his paces in Scotland making seven saves for the Rams and from a personal perspective he was happy with the busy work-out ahead of the season opener.
The Rams kick off their season in eight days when they travel to Huddersfield Town and after another week of hard work, the goalkeeper is confident that the Rams will be ready to go.
“I felt good out there today, I felt sharp. We are working with the goalkeeping department everyday on all the aspects and today I think I ticked a lot of boxes,” he said.
“I could be important at sometimes and at the end of the day you want to keep the clean sheet and drag it over the line, but we didn’t manage to do that today.
“I think it was a good work out for us and we showed some quality at times which is what it is about at the moment.”
Roos continued: “We have the journey back now and rest up then we have one more week of solid work in to get ready for Huddersfield next Monday.
“I think the first game is important for the team spirit but other than that it is just three points that you want to get to get you off the mark.
“It is a slow summer without games, so I think that is the reason why the build up to this game is so big. I think we look good and sharp at times, so I think we will be ready.”
