The man simply goes out, does his job and turns his attention to the next one.
Richard Keogh has helped Derby County to a decent start to 2016/17. After returning from Euro 2016, the Ireland centre-half featured in a couple of preseason outings before starting the new campaign in a mean defence.
It’s early days for County, and their new boss Nigel Pearson, but they have yet to concede a goal in two games. They began the Championship season with a 0-0 draw and, last night, eliminated Grimsby from the EFL (League) Cup.
Keogh was a rock in the centre of County’s defence and also wandered upfield to lump home a matchwinning header – the build-up involving Ireland colleague Cyrus Christie. Transfer target Jeff Hendrick featured in the Derby midfield and picked up his second successive booking of the new season.
The headed goal was Keogh’s seventh during his four-year Derby career. It was also his 200th club appearance, although he needed some reminding of the landmark:
“I didn’t realise it was my 200th appearance until after the game.
“It’s nice to mark the occasion with a goal, a clean sheet and a victory. It couldn’t have gone much better.”
want to thank everyone at @dcfcofficial for all the support.. staff, players and fans ?? pic.twitter.com/dM4HlCdjUK
— Richard Keogh (@RichardKeogh_6) August 9, 2016
Keogh admitted to the Derby website that he lost the plot somewhat after heading his team in front. He commented:
“Once Craig Bryson whipped it in I peeled around the back and I just threw myself at it! Luckily for me it went in.
“Naturally, it was a great feeling that it went in. I don’t know what I am doing when I am celebrating, I just go wild!
“There were some high knees in there for some reason, I don’t know where that come from, I get carried away with the moment because I don’t get too many.”
Keogh’s only goal for Ireland, so far, came in a 4-0 win over Georgia in 2013. It would certainly be handy if he chipped in with a couple during our World Cup qualifiers.
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