I relied on CalMac & Jack to get us out of drop zone... they never let me down
Derry could Count on Villa ace and Celt
When you’re fighting for survival in League One, Shaun Derry knows it pays to rely on old heads and experience to get you out of the mire.
But in 2013 the then-Notts County boss was forced to rely on two precocious talents to help keep his team in England’s third tier.
Celtic star Callum McGregor, who finished the season as the club’s top scorer, and Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish were the beating heart of the side as the loan stars helped County survive by the skin of their teeth.
And as Villa gear up to face Manchester City today, Derry could see enough in 18-year-old Greal ish to know he was destined for the top.
Derry, now at Crystal Palace as a development coach, said: “Jack was the absolute standout individual who everyone looked up to even at such a young age. He was the shining light, someone we hoped could lead us out of trouble.
“I remember being captivated by him at training. There was him and Callum McGregor, just 20 at the time, who we had taken on loan from Celtic.
“Here was me, a first-time manager with a relegation fight on our hands, and I’m pinning my hopes on these two kids.
“Jack never let you down. You could put a bit more pressure on him to take control on the pitch. He thrived with that extra bit of responsibility. But Jack had to stand up to a battering at times as players made him a target. I remember one game at Stevenage and they took it in turns to stop Jack.
“They shared the load to try and bring him down. These days it’s called tactical fouling.
“That game was certainly a massive lesson for him.”
Fast forward seven years and little has changed – Grealish is the most-fouled player in the Premier League.
Derry just feels fortunate to have played a part in Grealish’s progress – one which he hopes will propel the 24-year-old into Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer’s European Championships.
Derry said: “He’s so easy on the eye. Paul Gascoigne was one of my heroes and Jack has many of Gazza’s attributes. It’s the closest to Gazza I can recall.
“We’ve been crying out for a Gascoigne for many years and now we’ve got one. He’s ready for England and I would love to see him at the Euros. He offers something a bit different.”
If Grealish does become part of Euro 2020, it will be a far cry from his time in football’ s third tier.
Derry said: “We all knew fine well we wouldn’t be able to keep Jack more than a season. He scored a goal against Gillingham which was beyond what a lad of 18 should be achieving. It was a stunning individual goal.
“He was just dipping his toes in the level we were at with Notts County. He went back to Villa and quickly became their star man.”
Now he prepares to face champions Manchester City feted with impressive statistics. For instance, no player in the Premier League has carried the ball further this season and created more chances than Grealish.
Derry isn’t surprised and added: “Jack is different to many creative players. He has a cutting edge. Aston Villa is a huge club but he could play for a topfour team.”