Advice from role models inspires Jagielka

PHIL Jagielka says former teammates who were role models have inspired him to keep playing.

The 39-year-old signed a shortterm deal with Derby County in mid-august as a free agent. He left Sheffield United at the end of last season after two seasons at the club.

The defender has a huge amount of experience and is now being coached by former team-mate Wayne Rooney, the Rams boss.

And Jagielka says former teammates who were senior players encouraged him to keep playing for as long as possible.

“Role models told me, I’d miss playing,” said Jagielka.

“When I started playing football, I played with a lot of older professionals that Neil Warnock brought to Sheffield United and they were great examples.

“I played alongside Sylvain Distin when I was in my mid to late 20s at Everton and there were role models around me.

“It’s conversations you have with these people that continue to play at a high level for a long time that play a part.”

The 39-year-old holds the record for being Derby’s oldest outfield player, a record that was previously held by former England international team-mate Ashley Cole.

Jagielka added: “The amount of people that told me to continue playing while I can said to me that I would miss it. Most, if not every single professional I played alongside, said that so it’s a case of as long as I don’t feel like I’m letting myself, and my team-mates, down, I’ll carry on.

“I do respect the advice and vision from my close friends and family. They would, hopefully, tell me it’s time to hang the boots up when the time comes but as it stands, I still feel I can get out on the pitch and I’ll be useful.”