Scottish Forward wants to test himself against the best in the next round

- Russell scores second half as Derby beat Reading 2-0

- The Rams secure their place in the Fourth Round of the Capital One Cup for the first time since 2008/09

- Glaswegian forward targeting Premier League side in the next round

- Attacking quartet pushing to get the best out of each other





Johnny Russell has expressed his delight after he opened his goal scoring account for the season in the 2-0 Capital One Cup victory over Reading at the iPro Stadium on Tuesday evening.





The Scottish forward latched on to Chris Martin’s pass, before lashing a low drive beyond Mikkel Andersen to give the Rams the lead in the second half and Alex Pearce’s own goal made the result comfortable.





Russell was one of six changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Cardiff City at the weekend.





And following the result, the 24-year-old says he is keeping his fingers crossed for a Premier League side in the next round of the competition so Derby can really put themselves to the test.

Speaking to Rams Player, Russell said: “It’s great to finally get off the mark; it’s been pretty frustrating not getting the goals that I want.





“The team are winning and scoring goals, though, and that’s the main thing.





“Chris does that so often, sometimes we don’t get goals from it, but a lot of the time we do.





“He is important to what we do, he’s a massive part of the team and tonight he showed it when he came on how important it is.





“I was always going down the middle and the boy’s came across so I have gone outside him and gone across goal.





“I was delighted to get off the mark, but it was more important to get the second one to kill the game off.





“They made it quite difficult for us in the second half even though we scored two goals.





“They made it tough and put a lot of pressure on our box, but the boys defended brilliantly and managed to keep the clean sheet as well.





“It’s been a few years since we got this far. The manager said he wanted a cup run this year and it’s good for the team as well.





“Hopefully we get a Premier League team again so we can show what we can do against one of the big teams.”











Alongside Russell, Jamie Ward, Simon Dawkins and Jordon Ibe are all pushing for a place in the starting 11 this season and all have impressed over the first two months of the season.





The Glaswegian admits that Ibe, who is on a season-long loan from Liverpool, made his first start in the win over Reading, has already impressed since he joined the club and admits the four are pushing each other everyday to get the best out of one another.





He added: “We push each other everyday in order to get the best out of each other.





“We all know that we aren’t going to play every game and it’s a hard position that we play in.





“We know we aren’t going to play 90 minutes every game, so it’s up to us, when we are on the park, to do what we do.





“Wardy’s scoring goals and has been brilliant, Dawkins has been brilliant and Jordon tonight showed what he can do.





“He’s an exciting player and I am looking forward to seeing a lot more.





“He can go on his left, he can go on his right, he’s strong, quick and got a trick in his locker as well.





“We have seen a lot of him training and with what the manager has seen, we know he has a lot to offer over the course of the season.”





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