Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard delivers strong Derby, Wayne Rooney claim

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has claimed that if Wayne Rooney leads Derby County to Championship survival this season it will be “one of the best jobs [he’s] ever seen“. 

Despite being deducted a total of 21 points this season and having a threadbare squad, the Rams moved to within four points of safety with a 3-1 win over Hull City in midweek.

There has been constant uncertainty at Pride Park this season amid the off-field chaos, with Derby’s future seemingly hanging in the balance while the administrators search to secure a takeover deal and to ensure that the club can keep going until that is completed.

But through it all, as well as links to the Everton job, Rooney has remained committed to the Championship outfit and his side have continued to chip away at the gap between them and safety.

Via The Telegraph’s John Percy, Gerrard – a former England teammate of the Rams boss and current Villa manager – has waxed lyrical about how well he is getting on.

He said: “If he manages to pull a rabbit out the hat and keep them in the league, it will be one of the best jobs I’ve ever seen. For him to be in his first job and have them where they are is incredible.”

Derby’s next chance to move close to safety will come at the Riverside tomorrow in a game with added spice as Middlesbrough’s legal claim against the club is one of the issues holding up takeover progress.

The Verdict

This is a strong claim from Gerrard but, in all honesty, it’s hard to argue with him here.

When Derby’s second point deduction was confirmed, taking the total they’d lost this term to 21 points, no one gave them a realistic chance of staying up but now that seems to be within reach.

There’s still a fair way to go but the unachievable suddenly seems as