Shaun Derry insists he can prove himself in the Premier League – and prove his doubters wrong once again.
Those doubters have included boss Neil Warnock, who believed the 33-year-old midfielder was past his best and would be a squad player when he was signed a year ago.
Derry turned out to be a key man in Rangers’ promotion campaign, and now wants to go one better and be a regular starter in the top flight.
“I always like proving people wrong and I take encouragement from the manager’s words,” Derry told West London Sport.
“When he said last year that I was going to be a squad player, I wanted to prove him wrong and this year I don’t want to be a squad player in the Premier League – I want one of those starting places and I want to keep it.
“I’m hoping the midfield role I play in will be even more relevant this season. Last season it enabled the more attacking and creative players to shine, and I’m hoping to do a similar job this year.
“Time will tell. Obviously the class of opposition is going to be better, but we’ve all got something to prove and I certainly feel like I have. I want to prove people wrong again and show that I can play at that level.”
Derry has been linked with Millwall and a return to his former club Crystal Palace, but says he has no intention of passing up the chance to play in the top division.
“It’s a stage that every player wants to play on and I’m no different,” he declared.
“I can’t wait for the season. I’ve been excited since we lifted that trophy in May.”
This post was last modified on 26/07/2011