Nottingham Forest star Joe Worrall has exclusively told Seat Pitch that playing in the East Midlands-derby will mean more to him this weekend than playing in the Old Firm clash did last season.
The 22-year-old spent last season playing under Steven Gerrard at Rangers, playing his part in a famous victory over fierce rivals Celtic.
Although Worrall sees Rangers’ rivalry with Celtic as the biggest in the world, he sees more sentimental value on a personal level in pulling on the red shirt and playing for Forest against Derby.
He told Seat Pitch: “The Old Firm was fantastic. I’m sure other players who have played in an Old Firm derby will say it too, but it’s by far the biggest derby fixture in world football.
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“Playing in front of 50,000 or so people and everything that goes with it is just fantastic and walking out onto the pitch at Ibrox was something that I’ll never forget
“Saying that, for me on a personal level coming here and playing in front of 30,000 at the City Ground for the club that I love and I’ve grown up with is a little bit more special for me.
“As a lad growing up and coming through the academy you’d literally do anything to be on the pitch for these sort of games. I am very lucky to be in contention to play and it’s something that I can’t wait for.”
Worrall was the captain when Forest and Derby met in the Carabao Cup back in August and the defender is certainly earmarked for that role on a permanent basis in the future.
Mainstay
The 22-year-old has played every minute of every game in the league this season and is now considered an established member of Sabri Lamouchi’s team.
The fact that Worrall has hinted at Forest’s clash with Derby being bigger to him than a contest involving Rangers and Celtic highlights his love for the club and is a statement that Reds will surely love.
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Forest currently occupy a top-six position and another three points this weekend will showcase their credentials even further.
Another top performance from homegrown star Worrall would seriously enhance the chances of another three points for the Reds.