Derby County are preparing for their third Championship game of the season as they face last year’s play-off contenders Bristol City on Friday.
Ahead of the game, John Eustace spoke to RamsTV about the Bristol game and about last weekend’s dramatic 5-3 defeat at home to Coventry: “Obviously, we’ve got to defend better. To score three goals at home is really pleasing, to concede five is not so pleasing.”
Callum Elder mirrored his manager’s concern with Derby’s start to the season defensively, saying: “That’s the first two games of the season now we’ve taken leads in the league and haven’t been able to see it through.”
As the team trains for Bristol City behind the scenes, the board are pushing to sign one of their most sought-after targets who should help with Eustace’s defensive concerns.
Derby place third bid for Scotland's Johnston
Derby County have placed a third bid for Sturm Graz right back Max Johnston. The Scottish right back has made 65 appearances for the Austrian side, and this year, he earned his first senior cap for Scotland.
Johnston has been a consistent target for Derby, and the Rams haven’t been put off by their two unsuccessful bids. Derby’s first bid was valued at £1.4 million, and their second bid around £1.6 million.
Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph has now reported that Derby have bid £2 million. Johnston is currently on £7,900-a-year, meaning to match his current wage, Derby would have to make him one of their six highest-paid players.
Sturm Graz spent just over £300,000 on Johnston in 2023 and will be making a massive return on their investment if they accept this bid.
Johnston may solve Eustace's right back situation
The Rams are currently short-handed at right back as Kane Wilson is recovering from knee surgery, leaving Ryan Nyambe as the squad’s only traditional right back.
Joe Ward has also been used on that right-hand side when playing a back three, but his strengths lie in attack, meaning Eustace is still limited in terms of defensive alternatives. While Wilson did return to training on Monday, the manager hasn’t provided an update as to when he’ll be back playing games, and they will likely have to use him carefully to avoid any aggravation to his knee.
This may explain the acceleration towards a deal for Johnston, after their defensive frailties were put on full display against Coventry. Signing a young talent, who is at a career high market value having scored in his last Austrian Bundesliga outing, may be the catalyst to kick-start Derby’s Championship season.
With Wilson back and hopefully with the addition of Johnston, Eustace will have a range of options to play on his right-hand side. Wilson and Nyambe can serve as the traditional defensive right backs, Ward and the other wingers can be the more offensive options, and Johnston can serve as a hybrid, pitching in both defensively and offensively.