"I know how much it means" - Paul Warne sends emotional message when discussing Derby County promotion hero | OneFootball

Derby County sealed a final-day promotion to the Championship with a 2-0 win over already-relegated Carlisle United - and boss Paul Warne heaped praise on Max Bird on an emotional day for the club.

In what was his 200th and final appearance for the Rams, academy graduate Bird, scored the opening goal to put the side on course for automatic promotion.

During his post-match interview, alongside reviewing the game and the emotions of the day, the former Rotherham United manager made sure to mention how proud he was of his soon-to-be departing midfielder.

Max Bird's impressive Derby spell

Bird has been in and around the first team at Derby since the 2017/18 season, having made his debut in an EFL Cup tie against Barnsley in September of that season.

Since then, he has made his role in the middle of the park his own. Being paired alongside the likes of Conor Hourihane, Liam Thompson, Korey Smith and, more recently, Ebou Adams and Tyrese Fornah, he has consistently impressed, with his performances this season being among his best.

He made such an impression that in January of this season, Bristol City agreed a deal to sign him, but included in that was an agreement that Bird would remain on loan for the remainder of the season at Pride Park.

And Derby fans will surely be relieved that was the case with Bird's transfer, as he added to his impressive 191 appearances before the transfer, with nine more made in this second half of the season, and, of course, he scored the all-important goal that set them on their way to promotion.

Paul Warne's emotional message

Speaking to the club's media following the match on Saturday, Warne was quick to mention just how much of an impact the Burton-born midfielder has had on the side since Warne himself came in, plus his reasons for picking him in the all important match and just how proud he was overall.

In his post-match interview, he said, "I’m really pleased for Birdy. He’s a beautiful human, a great kid and really wants to do well.

"Since I’ve been here, there has always been rumours of certain players going and, with a heavy heart, I knew he was going to be playing his football somewhere else in the summer. When you’ve done so long at a club, sometimes you need to open your wings and fly.

"It was a hard decision because Tommo has been doing really well but Birdy trained really well, looked excellent, and I thought he would give us more of a goal threat.

"I’m a pretty emotional guy and I did have a bit of a weep inside when he scored. I know how much it means to him and I know how much it means to send off his time with this club with something great.

"When he came off, I told him how proud of him I was. It was a fitting ending, 200 games, a great goal and justified my decision, which makes me look great.”

The future of Derby's midfield

With Bird now departing, Derby's midfield will certainly look different when they make their first appearance in two years in the Championship next season.

The contracts of Korey Smith, Conor Hourihane and Liam Thompson are all expiring this summer, according to transfermarkt, and with the loan of fan-favourite Ebou Adams also expiring, there is going to be a lot of changes for the Rams in the middle of the park.

Hopefully, the money gained from Bird's sale to Bristol City, as well as promotion, will be enough to offer new deals to the aforementioned trio, plus give the club enough cash to make a permanent move for Adams. However, if everything fails, the club are beginning to look at other targets.

One such target, reported by the Sun, is young Celtic starlet, Bosun Lawal, who has just spent the season at relegated Fleetwood Town. During his time with the side from the Fylde coast, he has appeared 42 times, scoring six goals and assisting teammates twice.

A step-up to the Championship may be good for his development, but it is reported in the article that Celtic are wanting to give him a chance in pre-season to judge if he is ready for the first team.

However, the transfer window ends up going for Derby in terms of rebuilding their midfield. There will be a bittersweet feeling residing in most Derby fans this morning as they say goodbye to a club servant who has helped them achieve the ending to their dark days, and potentially given them the start to a brand new and exciting chapter.