Ryan Yates reveals what has been the highlight of his Nottingham Forest career so far

Nottingham Forest midfielder Ryan Yates has revealed that the club’s victory over Derby County in the first senior game that he featured in against their arch-rivals is the highlight of his career to date.

Yates was selected for the Reds’ clash with the Rams in 2019 at the City Ground and helped his side secure all three points in this particular fixture at the City Ground.

Yohan Benalouane scored what turned out to be the winning goal in this fixture in the second minute as he fired home from close range.

Since this triumph, Forest have extended their unbeaten run in the East Midlands derby to 10 games.

The Reds managed to claim the bragging rights last weekend as they defeated their arch-rivals.

Goals from Lewis Grabban and Brennan Johnson secured victory for Forest in this fixture as they moved up to eighth in the Championship standings.

Given that Derby are currently facing an uphill task to retain their place in this division, they may not get the chance to get their revenge on Forest next season.

Even if the Rams do avoid the drop, they won’t face Forest in a league fixture if Steve Cooper’s side seal promotion to the Premier League later this year.

Asked on the latest episode of the Sky Sports EFL Podcast about what has the been the highlight of his career to date, Yates said: “I’d probably say apart from making my debut in the Carabao Cup for Forest, I’d probably say our first derby game when we won 1-0 under the lights.

“Scored after about one minute and that will always stick in the memory I think.”

The Verdict

When you consider that Yates is a product of Forest’s academy, it is hardly a surprise that he has singled out a victory over Derby as one of the most memorable moments of his career to date.

The