Post-Match Verdict: Max Bird Vs Exeter City (A)

Derby County vice-captain Max Bird says the changing room was buzzing after a 'massive victory' at Exeter City on Tuesday night.

Two goals from David McGoldrick secured an all-important 2-1 win for the Rams and kept them in touching distance of the Sky Bet League One play-offs with three games left to play.

Speaking to RamsTV after the game, the midfielder gave his verdict on the performance.

On the three points...

It was a massive victory. It feels brilliant, we needed it. The lads and staff in the changing room are buzzing. We need to take what we did well tonight, analyse the game and try and back it up on Saturday against Burton at Pride Park.

On standing tall when Exeter scored...

A big part of the game was that when we went 1-0 up we kept at it and didn't sit back. In this game, we went for the second and were aggressive in our press in the second half.

The second goal was massive. We put ourselves in a bit of bother with conceding the goal but we enjoyed the resilience and defending the box. We've got to enjoy these parts of the game, this is where wins come from.

On the change of shape...

It was tough today. We had a change of system to try and counter-act what they were doing but it was also a bit different for us.

I thought we were comfortable, definitely in the second half in that formation. We haven't worked on it for too long but I thought we were a bit more intricate through the middle of the pitch and a bit more creative.

Our press in the second half was aggressive and that helped us start the half really well.

On David McGoldrick...

He's brilliant. I've learned lots off him, the lads have learned lots from him too.

He pops up in moments in games when we need him and it's important to have a player like that, especially in a promotion push.

He took his goals really well and we have to keep involving him in the way we play, get more goals for him but more importantly if he's winning us football matches and the team are contributing to that, that's all that matters.

On the travelling fans...

That was some going from the fans tonight. They were brilliant all night and they were loud as always. To see them at the end with lots of smiles, that's important for us.

On the return to Pride Park on Saturday...

It's a big game against Burton. It's a little bit of a local rivalry and they'll be coming to win the game, of course. We need to back tonight up because if we don't back it up this means nothing. Hopefully we'll get another three points on Saturday.