Walker: "We Have A Really Healthy Culture At The Football Club"

Justin Walker believes Derby County's Under-18s players have thrived in the big occasions due to the added exposure of training with Frank Lampard’s first-team squad and playing regularly for the club’s Under-23s in the last 12 months.

All those experiences have ensured the youngsters can handle themselves in the bigger moments and occasions.

And big moments have been something the youngsters became accustomed to during the 2018/19 season.

They beat Liverpool 3-1 to all but secure the Premier League North title, whilst they rose to the occasion against Arsenal in the Premier League National Final at Pride Park Stadium.

A 5-2 victory saw them lift the title and earn a place in the UEFA Youth League for next season and Walker praised the progression pathway which the Football Club have integrated.

“All we ask the players is that if they step up to the Under-23s or play with the Under-18s, we tell them to forget the number so to speak,” Walker told RamsTV.

“There’s no entitlement to step up to the Under-23s from the Under-18s and believe you should stay there.

“We have a really healthy culture at the football club, between the two teams and dressing rooms and the lads just want to play football.

“You can see the desire they have consistently.

“Whatever they’re doing; training with the first-team, Under-23s, Under-18s or away on international duty – we ask them to bring something back to the team and add it.

“We want them to share the experience they’ve gained with the group to move forward together.”