KNIGHT AIMS TO KEEP HIS ‘DREAM’ GOING
DERBY midfielder Jason Knight hopes to build on his solid start to life as a first-team player.
The 18-year-old helped the club’s U18 side become Premier League National champions back in May and also figured with the first team during the playoffs at the end of last season.
The Republic of Ireland U21 international has since made his mark at Pride Park with a firstteam debut under manager Phillip Cocu.
Knight came off the bench in the 2-1 win over Huddersfield on the opening day of the season and was later given his full debut.
Knight has since become a regular fixture with the first team and has enjoyed the experience.
He said: “You don’t have too much time to look back, but it has been a great year for me personally.
“Being around the first team the end of last season and the start of this season has been a great chance for me. Wembley was a fantastic experience. Obviously, we didn’t get the result we wanted, but being on the bench there was a great experience for me, it was brilliant.
“I have played for the Ireland U21s a few times too this season so it is great progress for myself and, hopefully, I can do more in the new year.”
This will be a first experience of playing over the festive period for Knight rather than returning home to Ireland.
He added: “It is my first time as a professional through the Christmas period so it is going to be busy but exciting for us.
“When you are back home you are always watching the football over Christmas time and it is always something you want to be doing as a young boy, and now I am doing it.
“Normally it would be a lot of sitting about, eating a lot of food, so it is quite the change from that this year.”