Gary is ready for any reaction

GARY Rowett says he’s looking forward to seeing what reception he gets from Derby County fans tonight.

The Stoke City manager comes up against his former club for the first time since leaving the Rams in May.

He had signed a new threeand-a-half year contract with the Rams in January after being linked with a move to the Potters.

But he made the switch after the season ended and there have been rumours on social media that he is in for a warm welcome from the sold-out away end, with suggestions that Rams fans will take inflatable snakes to the game at the bet365 Stadium.

“I’m quite looking forward to it if I’m being perfectly honest,” said Rowett.

“Every second Derby fans sing abusive songs about me is another second or minute they are not singing songs supporting their own team.

“So bring it on, let them sing as much as they want.

“If they want to bring inflatables, which I’ve heard, it’s going to be really windy.

“So those inflatables could be in danger of blowing away and, secondly, I bought shares in a very popular inflatables shop in Derby recently and I’m looking forward to raking in the profits!

“It’s a bit of fun. Look, I live in the area and most fans I speak to you can have a sensible conversation about it and that’s the reality.

“Fans love a bit of fun and something to wind you up.

“I’m not naming myself in the same sentence in any way, shape or form, but if Jose Mourinho can get booed by the Chelsea fans for winning three titles, then the rest of us mere mortals can get booed at any point in any game.

“It’s water off a duck’s back. It’s what we are in the game for. Most people get pressures in their job, it’s just that most people’s pressures aren’t played out in the public arena, which is what us managers choose to do for fun, which sometimes seems a little bit strange and a little bit masochistic but that’s the nature of our enjoyment.”