Reid slams Rams’ reaction

NOTTINGHAM Forest Under-23s coach Andy Reid launched a scathing verdict on Derby County following the Rams’ narrow escape from relegation.

Reid said he was “embarrassed” by the Derby celebrations after Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park Stadium, which retained their Championship status in dramatic circumstances.

The former Forest winger also claimed that the Rams deserved to go down and had only stayed up “by default”.

Derby managed only one win in their final 15 outings and had lost six in a row before Saturday.

The Owls’ six-point deduction for breaking financial rules proved decisive in the end, while Rotherham could not overcome a late-season fixture pile-up.

In the closing stages of the Rams game, Reid said on BBC 5 Live Sport: “You know what, both of them (Derby and Wednesday) probably deserve to go down, because it’s been so poor.

“I know it’s because there’s loads of pressure on them, but they haven’t been great all season.

“This has been an exciting game but for quality, goodness me, it’s been really, really poor, other than Patrick Roberts’ goal, which was probably the only bit of real quality in the game.”

At the final whistle, Reid said: “I’m just looking at some of the Derby County players and some of the staff running around celebrating like they’ve just got promoted.

“The way they’ve been this season, I’d probably be a bit embarrassed to do that, if I’m totally honest with you.

“Running around the pitch and hugging each other... I know it’s a good thing that they’ve stayed up, I totally get that, but I wouldn’t be running around celebrating, because in some ways they’ve stayed up by default, really.”