Goalkeeper Kelle Roos says it is ‘massive’ for everyone in the Derby County camp to conclude the 2019/20 season with a victory.
Derby will bring their Sky Bet Championship campaign to a close across the Midlands at Birmingham City on Wednesday evening (7:30pm kick-off).
The game against the Blues will be the Rams’ ninth and final behind-closed-doors fixture of the season following the season’s restart in June following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ross, 27, believes it is important for Phillip Cocu’s side to round the extended season off with three points and end a run of four successive losses.
A top half finish remains up for grabs and if Derby can record a victory, and other results go their way, they could secure a top ten spot.
“It’s massive we end the season on a positive because as a team, people might look at it and think we have nothing to play for, but at the same time, we have loads to play for,” Roos told RamsTV.
“We have our pride, and we have the fans behind us at home and we want to finish on a high and give them something to smile about for a couple of weeks.
“We can then recharge after the game before looking ahead to next season, so I think it would be massive if we can finish on a high note and hopefully we can do that.”
While the game doesn’t carry any extra significance for Derby, it certainly does for Birmingham.
The Blues know a victory will secure their place in the Championship for next season as they currently sit 20th in the table and two points clear of the relegation zone.
Birmingham, currently guided by Caretaker Managers Steve Spooner – a former Derby player - and Craig Gardner, are without a league win since February and parted company with Head Coach Pep Clotet earlier this month.
Roos says the Rams know they need to be up for the fight against Birmingham.
He said: “As a footballer, you always want to play for something that counts but at the same time, we try not to change anything.
“This game is going to be a big one for Birmingham and they will look to get a point at least so we are going to have a fight on our hands.
“I think it’s always better to play against teams who have something to fight for so we will prepare well and we will make sure we are ready to go.”
He added: “We are going to have a fight on our hands, but at the same time we will try to get the ball down and get moving and play our own game.”
Roos has made 25 appearances for Derby during the 2019/20 season across all competitions.