3/1 To Win
There are many key attributes required to ensure you give yourself the best possible opportunity to become a professional footballer.
Ability is an important factor, of course, but a good attitude and a determination to work hard and succeed certainly goes a long way.
For Derby County’s teenage midfielder Max Bird, he is now reaping the rewards of those hard yards put in as he is flourishing on the big stage.
The 19-year-old has experienced the ups and downs of a professional footballer in the early years of his career so far.
He has enjoyed the highs of winning the EFL Apprentice of the Year last season, however, he has suffered some challenging moments too.
But his attitude has always remained the same.
Whether he has been appearing in the Under-19s, the Under-23s or the first team, his approach to his work never changes.
His professionalism seeps through and that hard work has led him being rewarded with his opportunity in manager Phillip Cocu’s first team in recent weeks.
And such is his attitude, Bird knows that this is just the start for him and that the hard work really starts to intensify to ensure he keeps his place in the squad.
“It was a bit of a whirlwind over Christmas, but things in football can just change at a click of a finger,” he told RamsTV, prior to the fixture against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
“You can be part of the Under-23s one week, but I just need to keep improving. Things have changed and I am happy to be in and around it.
“It is a case of training every day with the first-team and knowing that the opportunity can be around the corner at any time. You have to be ready for it, you have to be ready to take it which is the most important thing.
“That is why all the young lads are down there training with the first-team each day so that when the time does come, we are ready.
“We know the players, we know the team, we know the philosophy that the manager wants to play, the style he wants to play, and we need to be ready to take the opportunity.”
That readiness for the first-team has really shone through as he has fit seamlessly into the side in recent weeks.
He replaced Krystian Bielik on 44 minutes in the Boxing Day draw against Wigan Athletic and impressed, before he started the next two games in the home victories against Charlton Athletic and Barnsley either side of the new year.
His performance against Charlton earned plaudits and he set up Jason Knight's second goal of the night, whilst against Barnsley he was named as Sky Sports’ Man of the Match.
“It has been difficult at times, especially at the start of this season and at times after the Barnsley game when I made my debut a few years ago it was hard as well,” he said.
“That is just the highs and lows that you have as a footballer that I have had in my very short career so far.
“I am sure I will keep having those highs and lows, but it is how you deal with it and react to setbacks.
“It is almost a positive that it has come at such a young stage in my career so I can deal with it now then if it happens further down the line then I know how to deal with it and know what I can do to benefit from the situation.
“It is all part of football, not being involved then suddenly being involved and it is up and down constantly throughout the week.
“In my opinion, all you can do is train well and play well and be ready to take the opportunity when it comes. Now it is about consistency and just keeping it going.”
