Richard Keogh says Derby County are heading into tomorrow’s Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round against Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion full of confidence.
The central defender, who has played his part in the cup run by scoring the winning penalty to eliminate Southampton in the Third Round of the competition, has been in fine form so far this season at the heart of the defence.
He has played every league game for the Rams this term and believes the side are growing as a group.
With that comes confidence and he believes Derby are in a good place going into the tie against the Seagulls.
“Brighton are an established Premier League team with a lot of good players,” Keogh told RamsTV.
“We are on a good bit of form ourselves coming into an important stage of the season and there will be a lot of twists and turns with everyone fighting for those promotion spots.
“I think for this game it is one that we can attack in the right manner and going into it in good form it is a great opportunity for us to try and get into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
“We know it is going to be a tough game but in the form we are on, if we can bring our best game, then we are a match for anyone.”
Cup scalps have been a common occurrence for the Rams this season having beaten Premier League sides Manchester United and Southampton in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
“When we have played in those games, we have played very well,” Keogh said. “I think they are games that suit us and it is a mentality that the manager has instilled in us since he got here.
“It has given us a lot of confidence and I think the way we play we just try and win the game and I think you have seen that. We went to Old Trafford and then gave Chelsea a fantastic game.
“Brighton are a very good team, the manager has done a fantastic job there and we know it is going to be tough. We are the underdogs again but what a great FA Cup tie to go and show what we are about.”
In this stage of the competition, there will be no more replays, meaning the tie will have to be settled at the Amex Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
“I think it is good for both teams,” he admitted. “We have had a lot of games this month already, so it is good in that sense.
“It shows the group we have got, we aren’t fazed by much we just want to go into games and win them whether that be on penalties or in normal time. There is a great togetherness and hopefully we can get the job done.”
Would Keogh be fazed about the potential of taking another penalty?
“As a senior player and a captain I think you need to take that responsibility,” he said.
“I think it gives the lads confidence knowing that I will step up to take one.
“If it comes to it, I will put my name forwards because that is what it is about. You have to show leadership at certain times and I would have no problem taking one again.”
