Eiran Cashin names his footballing idol - Derby County fans will love this | OneFootball

The former Rams centre-back has named a former Derby favourite as his idol.

Eiran Cashin has named a former Derby County fan favourite as his footballing idol as the centre-back prepares to make his league debut for Blackburn Rovers this weekend.

The 24-year-old joined the Lancashire outfit earlier in the January transfer window on loan, having spent the first portion of the campaign with Birmingham City.

However, he struggled for game time at Blues and his deal was terminated under an agreement between Chris Davies' side and Brighton & Hove Albion - his parent club.

Cashin took to the pitch as a Blackburn player for the first time in the FA Cup against Hull City, keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw in normal time as the away side were knocked out on penalties at the MKM Stadium on Sunday. Nevertheless, in a quick-fire quiz following his arrival, the defender has named one of his former Derby coaches as his footballing idol.

Eiran Cashin names Jake Buxton as his footballing idol

It's been nearly a year since Cashin left the Rams, joining Brighton for a reported £9m after an excellent first season back in the Championship following his former side's relegation to League One in 2022.

However, his connection to the club at which he made his professional debut for has not been lost, and when asked by a member of Blackburn's media team who his footballing idol is, Cashin simply said: "Jake Buxton."

A fellow centre-back, Buxton played for Derby between 2009 and 2016, making 159 appearances for the club. In recent seasons, the Sutton-in-Ashfield-born ex-defender spent time with the Rams' U18s and U21s sides, coaching them before joining up with John Eustace in the first team.

Buxton, alongside Derby's head coach, kept the club in the Championship last season, and while he continued his role with the academy, he is now the manager of National League North side, Alfreton Town.

It's clear to see the impact that the 40-year-old had on Cashin, with the two having a very similar playing style. Both players are not the height you'd expect from a centre-back, yet both ex-Rams defenders possess great strength and power.

Eiran Cashin will be looking forward to his Pride Park return

Derby faced their academy graduate on Boxing Day, as Birmingham held the Rams to a 1-1 draw at St. Andrew's in an entertaining clash.

While he didn't get to return to Pride Park with Blues, it will not be too long of a wait for Cashin to get his first taste of DE24 as an opponent.

Blackburn make the trip to the East Midlands on 28 February for a 12:30 kick-off as Eustace looks to make it three wins in a row against his former club. The Rams won this fixture 2-1 last season, before matching that result at Ewood Park in November.

However, Derby will now have to get the better of one of their former favourites, in a game that has already become more fierce over the course of the last 11 months.