Ravel is relishing Rooney freedom
DERBY County midfielder Ravel Morrison says he has been given “freedom to play” by Rams manager Wayne Rooney.
Morrison joined the Rams earlier this month after training with the club over the summer as a free agent and featuring in some of the club’s pre-season friendlies.
Since signing, he has played five games for the club and scored against Salford City on his debut in the Carabao Cup.
Morrison has revealed that it was a call from Rooney to his agent that set the move in motion.
“I was going to the MLS and I had the Gold Cup in America with Jamaica,” he told the Sunday Times.
“I was in Jamaica, struggling to get my visa sorted, when (Rooney) called my agent.
“It’s a big opportunity. Derby are a big club and we can surprise a lot of people.
“Wayne is probably the best English player ever and to be working with him is great. He has given me freedom. You feel appreciated.”
Much has been made of Morrison’s attitude and application during his career to date, with the midfielder once tipped for great things while on the books at Manchester United.
It is something that doesn’t effect him too much now, he says, and he is instead focused on his future ambitions.
“I’m me,” he said. “I don’t have to prove anything and I don’t care about anyone’s opinions, except for my mum’s.
“I don’t really think money or fame would change me. I just wish I had grown up more quickly.
“I would obviously love to be higher up. I would love to be playing at Man United.
“But as long as I can provide for my family and I am happy in life, that’s the main thing.
“I want to play in the Champions League, hear the music. It’s not finished yet.
“You never know what could happen. Jamie Vardy started late, didn’t he? Football changes, it could change for me in the space of two weeks.”
Morrison does not need much motivation to do well at Derby, he just needs to look at his mother, who has “given up half her life” for him.
“If I gave up, my mum would be upset, because for (most) of her life that’s all she’s worked for – for me to be a footballer,” he said.
“She has given up half her life for that so, if I give up, I’ve let her down.”
TOM Lawrence says Derby County will learn from Saturday’s Championship clash with rivals Nottingham Forest.
Derby’s captain returned to the team after missing three matches due to a groin problem and he put the Rams ahead after 11 minutes.
The Rams were the better side in the first half of the clash at Pride Park Stadium but they were unable to add a second goal.
Forest improved after the break and equalised late on through Brennan Johnson as the contest ended 1-1.
Lawrence limped off after 67 minutes amid fears he had picked up another injury but he was suffering from cramp and assured fans he was fine and it was down to a lack of training last week.
“I thought we had chances to win it overall,” Lawrence told Ramstv.
“We were better in the first half and they probably edged it in the second half but we are gutted to concede that late on. The manner of the goal shouldn’t happen but we learn from it.
“Maybe they (Forest) were more aggressive in the second half but we need to figure that out.
“We will have a look at it because we’ve been ahead in a few games now. We will look at it, learn from it and we will be ready for the next one.”
Derby’s next fixture is against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Friday, September 10, after the international break.
“We get a little break now and we will reassess this, put this one to bed and look forward to Birmingham,” said Lawrence.
“Every game is tough in this league.
“We all know that by now but I look forward to them.”