INTERVIEW: Vickers Talks Ahead of Swansea Home Clash

Derby County goalkeeper Josh Vickers spoke about the strong bond between the goalkeeping group and the entire Rams squad ahead of Saturday’s clash with Swansea City.

Derby's goalkeeping ranks have proved resourceful for John Eustace this season, with number one Jacob Widell Zetterström putting in excellent performances and fellow shot-stopper Richard O’Donnell also making two appearances in the league when both Zetterström and Vickers were unavailable – winning in both matches.

Vickers has featured three times between the sticks for the Rams this term, with two outings in the Carabao Cup, including in a penalty shoot-out triumph against West Bromwich Albion, and a first league appearance of the campaign last weekend against Ipswich Town.

A thumb injury in January kept Vickers from action, but it didn’t stop him from penning a new deal with the club, keeping him at Pride Park Stadium until summer 2029.

The shot-stopper sat down with RamsTV to discuss signing a new deal, the evolution of the squad, and the strength of Derby’s goalkeeping ranks.

On Putting Pen to Paper on a New Deal

The club's going in a direction that I want to be a part of. The conversations (around a new contract) happened a little while ago. As you probably know, with these things, they take a little bit of time, but I'm really, really happy to be here for another three years.

On Making the Decision to Commit His Future to the Club

It’s about where you are in your life - I'm happy, and the club has done a lot for me. I enjoy being here. I enjoy working, training and playing when I get the opportunity. You know when you're happy, and you have to really take that into consideration, and I'm happy being here.

On Being One of the Long-Serving Members of an Evolving Squad

We were speaking about this just after the window shut; it's a big shift from when I first came in. There are only a few of us left from that League One season, and the club's evolving. It is still a great changing room of players.

The club and the gaffer are progressing, and our training is getting better and better with each player who comes in.

On the Goalkeeping Group Stepping Up When Called Upon

It's what we do. Rich has obviously played a lot of games in his career and been instrumental in the way we work and train as a group. Jacob's been the one who's playing and doing well.

But, we still have to train as if we're going to be the next one up, and I think you look across the league this year, it's been pretty strange for goalkeepers.

There have been a lot of clubs that have used not only two, but some have used three goalkeepers. So, you just need to have that mindset of always being ready - Rich has been brilliant when he came in, and I was injured.

On Returning to Action Last Weekend

It was great being back out there, especially at home in front of the fans - it's where we love playing football. The way it worked out, I managed to get a chance after coming back from an injury, and that was really pleasing.