Rooney: No happy return is the task for Rams
FORMER Derby County players Richard Keogh and Duane Holmes make a first return to Pride Park Stadium tonight since leaving the Rams.
Keogh and Holmes are expected to be in the Huddersfield Town starting 11 for the Championship clash against the Rams.
Keogh played 356 games for Derby, the majority of them as captain, and was twice named player of the year.
He had his Derby contract terminated in October 2019 on grounds of gross misconduct after he suffered a serious knee injury in a car crash that led to Derby teammates Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett being convicted of drink-driving.
Keogh was a passenger in the back seat of one of the vehicles.
Keogh lost an initial appeal against his sacking. He took the matter to the EFL and, last month, the Daily Mail reported that the 34-yearold had his appeal upheld by an employment tribunal and claimed Derby face paying him £2m.
Derby did not comment on the matter, which is consistent with the club’s approach while the process is ongoing.
Holmes joined Hudderfield last month after two and a half years with the Rams.
The midfielder played 83 games (60 starts) for Derby and scored six goals.
Asked if such reunions are less significant when fans are not in grounds, Rooney said: “It depends on the circumstances of a player leaving the club or on how they performed for a club.
“It is always nice when a player goes back to a former club and they get a good reception from the fans.
“I am sure for Richard Keogh and Duane Holmes they are two players who will be coming back and focusing on their jobs for Huddersfield. “I have said to my players I don’t want to see anyone speaking to them before the game. “If they want to speak and catch up, they can do that after the game but before the game we have to focus on our jobs.
“We have to focus on ourselves and that’s it. After the game, they can talk about what they want, but before the game it is important we keep our attention and focus.”
Does Rooney think Keogh and Holmes will return with a point to prove?
“I am sure they will, I wouldn’t expect anything less from them,” said Rooney.
“I think, as always when you go back to a club you used to play for, you want to do well. I have had that myself playing against former clubs, so I expect them to be fired up for the game and give everything they can for Huddersfield.”
After the game they can talk about what they want, but before the game it is important we keep focus.