Bobby Clark urged to make Derby County decision - Rangers is 'not the place' for transfer move | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County fan pundit has given his verdict on a potential permanent move for Bobby Clark

Derby County narrowly missed out on a play-off place on the final day of the Championship season.

The Rams held a top six finish as the games progressed thanks to Sammie Szmodics’ early strike against Sheffield United.

However, goals from Sydie Peck and Tom Cannon turned their lead into a 2-1 deficit at Pride Park, while Hull City overcame Norwich City to seal their position ahead of Wrexham and John Eustace’s side.

The Derbyshire outfit only survived relegation by one point 12 months ago, but missed out on the play-offs by four points.

A key player behind their rise has been Bobby Clark, who joined the club last summer on loan from RB Salzburg.

The 21-year-old contributed three goals and three assists from 42 appearances in the Championship, earning plenty of plaudits for his performances.

Derby County stay may be best move for Bobby Clark

It has been reported by Teamtalk that Rangers are seeking a cut-price deal to sign Clarke this summer following his loan spell with the Rams.

When asked whether the club should be in the mix to sign the youngster on a permanent basis, FLW’s Derby fan pundit Shaun Woodward claimed that the player should be prioritising a stay in the Championship, instead of moving to Scotland.

He believes competing at a higher level every week would be better for his development, whether it’s in Eustace’s side or with another team in the division.

“I think it all comes down to Bobby Clark’s preference,” Woodward told Football League World.

“At this stage of his career, he doesn’t need to be making the move to Scotland.

“To me, he’s going to be getting that top move to the Premier League and, ideally, that’ll be with Derby.

“But I think for his career he would do well to stay in the Championship for another season and then get that move to the Premier League.

“I don’t think going to Scotland at this stage of his career is really a good move.

“Yes, he can get European football with Rangers, but the standard every week is not on the level of the Championship, so week-in and week-out he’s not testing himself against the best players, and I don’t think that’s going to help his career long-term.

“Hopefully, he’s got someone telling him that.”

Woodward has urged Derby to go all in on Clark this summer if he is available, suggesting that his value could increase dramatically if he can start adding some goal and assists to his game, so any deal now could be more than worth the club’s time.

“And it’s not just because I want him to stay at Derby, but I just think, at his age and his development, he needs to be playing against players of the Championship quality,” Woodward added.

“Or even if he doesn’t stay at Derby, he goes to another club, but the Scottish Premiership, for me, is just not the place where he should be going now at this stage of his career.

“I think Derby should go all in on him, I think he’s going to thrive at Derby.

“He’s only going to get better as he matures, brings more goals and assists to his game, be worth a lot of money.

“I think it’s worth us maybe spending a little bit on him, to think about the future, a bit like we did with [Patrick] Agyemang.

“So I think he’ll want to stay at Derby, but it just depends who he’s got in his ear, really, what his team are saying to him.

“But I think, looking at it from a Derby perspective, I think it would make sense for him to stay with us.”

Clark cemented himself as a key figure in the Derby squad under Eustace, but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the midfielder.

The Rams will now be looking to build a team capable of earning a play-off place next season.

Unfortunately for the club, they have earned the honour of being the last team to finish eighth and not earn a play-off place, as it will expand to include the top eight from next season onwards.

But it also means that keeping this level of competitiveness for the next campaign will put them in a strong position to fight for promotion again in 12 months’ time.

Derby County and John Eustace have to push for Bobby Clark signing

Clark was an excellent addition to Eustace’s side this season, so the club have to be pushing for his signature this summer.

Given he already knows the club and the squad, they should be the player’s favoured option over Rangers, even if they can offer European football.

The Rams are clearly on the rise under Eustace, and it’s an exciting time to potentially join on a permanent basis.

It would be a serious sign of Derby’s intent for next season if they could get a deal over the line ahead of Rangers, as the club have the potential to compete for promotion next year if they can have another strong pre-season.