Derby County manager Phillip Cocu praised Max Bird on RamsTV after the youngster put in another excellent showing in the 1-1 draw at home to Fulham.
The Rams had to settle for a point against the Whites in an entertaining encounter.
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images).
Wayne Rooney’s Panenka penalty put Derby ahead. The Championship’s leading scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic, however, showed his class with a well-taken equaliser.
Derby matched third-placed Fulham all the way. Speaking to RamsTV, Cocu reserved praise for Bird after his Man of the Match performance.
He had a very good game and showed his importance for the team. His link-up, passing and work for the team is very important. I think in a lot of games now he has shown a consistent performance and that is why he stays in the team.
Max Bird has shown incredible progression over the past few months.
The 19-year-old started the 1-0 win over Scunthorpe United in the Carabao Cup back in August. That day, he looked raw and short on confidence.
But with Krystian Bielik suffering a season-ending injury, Bird has made the holding midfield spot his own with several excellent displays since the festive period.
Bird topped Derby’s passing charts with an 87.5% accuracy rate. Defensively he made two tackles and harried Fulham’s creative players out of possession.
(Photo by Marc Atkins/Offside/Offside via Getty Images).
Few would have expected Bird to be the standout from Derby’s thriving academy this season. Now, he looks a cert for the club’s Young Player of the Year award.
Also see: Derby-born player reportedly wanted by Rams is currently outperforming £165m PSG ace
Also see: League One club reportedly eye St Johnstone winger to replace departing Derby ace