INTERVIEW: ‘I'm Thoroughly Enjoying It’ - Szmodics On Derby Start

A month into his time with Derby County, forward Sam Szmodics says he is ‘thoroughly enjoying’ life as a Ram.

The Republic of Ireland international joined the club on loan from Ipswich Town on deadline day four weeks ago, and opened his Derby account last time out against Hull City.

The move to Pride Park Stadium has presented the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship top goalscorer with an opportunity to reunite with former boss John Eustace, with Szmodics netting 15 times in 20 appearances when working under him at Saturday’s opponents, Blackburn Rovers.

Ahead of facing his former employers this weekend, Szmodics sat down with RamsTV to discuss his start to life at Derby, the first-goal feeling, and the importance of staying level-headed.

On Scoring His First Goal For The Club

I was happy to score my first goal but I look back on the game with mixed emotions. I thought we deserved a lot more out of it. It was quite a crazy game.

I think we did enough to win, but we can't be giving away sloppy goals at this level, because you do get punished.

So, yes, mixed emotions - but happy to score my first goal for Derby and hopefully many more.

On Start To Life At Pride Park

I'm thoroughly enjoying it. To mark my debut against Swansea with a win was the most important thing. Then we had two hard games on the road, but I am looking forward to us bouncing back.

On Working With John Eustace Again

As a manager, he's brilliant. As a man-manager, he's even better. He's made me feel really welcome. It’s true, I did play my best football under him.

And hopefully following my first goal, I can bring the form I had at Blackburn to Derby. I'm thoroughly enjoying working with him, Keith Downing and Matt Gardiner again.

And three games in, getting that first goal will help even more because I love scoring goals. I think I got 15 in 20 at Blackburn under the gaffer, which was one of the main reasons I wanted to come back.

I do put a lot of pressure on myself to score goals. So, to get one so early into my Derby career is fantastic for me.

It takes the shackles off and hopefully I can go on to get many more.

On Facing Former Club Blackburn Rovers

They’re a good team. I don't think their league position resembles how they've been recently.

I've watched a lot of their games. It's a great club, a big football club and they’re an athletic side. We’re going to have to be right up for it.

It'll be a good game. I know it means a lot to a lot of the lads, so it's going to be a good game and we're looking forward to it.

On Aims For The Remainder Of The Season

Now we've got that win at home, we can hopefully push on and get another one this weekend.