Derby County under Paul Warne are steadily going about their business in the Championship this season, building the foundations of an eventual promotion push.
Whilst promotion to the Premier League still seems like a long way off for Derby County, they’re certainly going strong this season.
The Rams sit in 12th place of the Championship table under Paul Warne with just six points separating them and the top six, with Derby County drawing against Plymouth Argyle last time out.
And it’s coming up to 10 years since Derby County lost against QPR in the Championship play-off final.
Despite the disappointment that day, the overall positivity of that season and the memories made remain true, with several players having stood out during that 2013/14 campaign.
One such player was Johnny Russell. The now 34-year-old scored nine goals in 39 Championship outings that season after Derby County signed him from Dundee United.
In five years he made 203 appearances for the Rams, scoring 34 and assisting as many before leaving for Sporting Kansas City in 2018.
Speaking earlier this year, Russell explained his Derby County exit, saying that there was reasons behind the scenes as to why he left Pride Park.
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Johnny Russell leaves Sporting Kansas City after six years
Russell would go on to enjoy another prolific career spell with Kansas, who on Thursday announced that the Scot was leaving the club.
Russell eventually became the MLS club’s captain, racking up 232 total appearances for the club and scoring an impressive 67 goals, with 39 assists to his name as well.
He was named the club’s MVP in both 2020 and 2022, also being named the club’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2018, 2019, and 2021.
On Thursday, Sporting Kansas City announced on X that Russell was leaving the club, paying him an emotional tribute.
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Sporting Kansas City fans not happy with Johnny Russell decision
The 2024 MLS season is over. Sporting Kansas City finished 13th of 14 teams in the Western Conference and announced their retained list on Thursday.
Russell was among those to be released despite him scoring four and assisting four in 29 MLS outings in 2024.
And a quick scan of the club’s tweet on Russell leaving shows that the fans aren’t all too impressed with the decision.
He’s an experienced pro and clearly still boasting ability to have played so many games in 2024, and to still be chipping in with goals and assists.
A return to England could well be on the cards for Russell who’d no doubt have plenty of suitors lower down in the Football League.