Former Derby County midfielder Craig Ramage has heaped praise on Nottingham Forest’s 21-year-old sensation, Ryan Yates.
Speaking to Derbyshire Live, Ramage couldn’t help but be impressed by the youngster for his performance in Monday’s East Midlands derby.
Yates played his fourth game in succession and has been a revelation since taking his league bow against Brentford.
Ramage knows all about being a youngster thrust into derby-day action, having played for the Rams as a 19-year-old against Forest.
The tough-tackling midfielder played 42 times for the Rams in six years at the club.
He told Derbyshire Live: “Forest worked hard and looked more hungry.
“The young lad for Forest, Ryan Yates, reminded me of myself when I played in my first derby against Forest at 19. He was bang up for it, he was fired up.”
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Yates has drawn praise since announcing his arrival to the Forest supporters.
He is building up a great rapport with the club’s supporters and shows the sort of passion that Reds supporters crave.
In just his second league game for the club he supported as a boy he scored a crucial goal against West Brom.
These latest comments prove that he is making an impression on people on the outside of the City Ground too.
Unknown quantity
The most telling thing from the Derby contest was that opposing midfielders didn’t know what to expect from Yates.
He spent the night throwing himself into challenges and not a single Derby player could get near him.
As a result, Forest had more freedom in the middle of the park and Yates’ battling qualities ensured they were never in danger of being outfought.
The academy graduate looks set for an extremely bright future with the club.
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