Kelle Roos takes Derby County stance amid lack of starting opportunities

Derby County goalkeeper Kelle Roos admits it’s mentally tough to be a second-choice goalkeeper but believes there can’t be room for ‘sulking’, speaking to the Rampage Magazine.

The Dutchman looked set to be the first-choice goalkeeper for the Rams for the majority of the 2021/22 campaign after starting the season between the sticks ahead of David Marshall, who had been left out in the cold by Wayne Rooney.

Not only was the Scotland international behind the 29-year-old in the pecking order, but also summer signing Ryan Allsop who was previously predicted to remain behind Roos with the latter seemingly brought in to suit his style of play.

He was even the subject of interest from Premier League side Norwich City and promotion chasers Fulham and AFC Bournemouth back in December – but he has spent more time on the bench recently with Allsop overtaking him in the pecking order.

And with the ex-Wycombe Wanderers shot-stopper performing reasonably well, perhaps at fault though for Coventry City’s opening goal last weekend, he doesn’t look set to start between the sticks for the foreseeable future.

This will come as a blow for the 29-year-old who spent much of his early career at Pride Park on the bench but would have been hoping to keep his starting spot from earlier in the campaign.

Still, Roos believes it’s just a case of getting on with the job regardless as he looks to support his teammates in the goalkeeping department.

He said (via Derbyshire Live): “I don’t think many goalkeepers set out to be a second choice, so it’s natural that you want to play.

“You never know as a goalkeeper if you are going to play any games. It’s mentally very tough.

“At the same time, you are working with the goalkeepers every day. You appreciate