Huddlestone confident for opener against Cats

“It made it easy for them to pass their way through to our back four. Saying that, Scotty Carson didn’t have to make too many saves over the game.

“At the other end, Matej tookhisgoalwell.Ithought, over the last 15 minutes, we fully committed to the pressing and that forced the error that led to the goal.

“It was disappointing to concede so soon after that.

“That aside, it was very useful as a workout and it was just what we needed.

“We have played a few lower league teams, especially since I have been part of the club, so hopefully to play a higher level of opposition will be beneficial to us when we start the season.”

Derby boss Gary Rowett added: “It was a good workout. It was excellent for us because you’re obviously not going to come across that type of ability and talent very often in a season.

“We tried to be brave and go right up against them in all areas and in the first half, at times, we just lacked a little bit of conviction in one or two things that we did.

“We had five or six good chances and we missed a penalty as well.

“That was the positive thing for me, we did create chances against a top European team. We know that maybe at the top end of the pitch we need a bit more positivity and belief.”

He added: “We defended really well and can see that we’ve got that solidity that we were looking for and that little bit of physical strength as well.”