– Bird’s goal secured Derby’s promotion, earning Warne’s praise for his impact.
– Bird’s consistent performances: 200 appearances, 6 goals, 7 assists this season.
– Bird’s departure leaves questions about Derby’s midfield, potential new signings to fill the gap.
Derby County clinched promotion to the Championship with a 2-0 victory over Carlisle United, and manager Paul Warne didn’t hold back in praising Max Bird on this emotional occasion.
In his final match for the Rams, Bird scored the crucial opening goal, contributing significantly to their automatic promotion.
During his post-match reflections, Warne spoke of his pride in Bird’s journey and achievements at the club, acknowledging his integral role.
Bird has been a fixture in Derby’s midfield since the 2017/18 season, showcasing his talent alongside various midfield partners. His consistent performances, particularly this season, have highlighted his value to the team.
| Max Bird’s League One Stats 2023-24 | |
| Appearances | 33 |
| Average Minutes Per Game | 82 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Shots Per Game | 1.4 |
| Shots on Target Per Game | 0.4 |
| Touches Per Game | 43.9 |
| Assists | 7 |
| Key Passes Per Game | 1.2 |
| Successful Tackles Per Game | 1.4 |
| Total Duels Won Per Game | 3.2 |
| Stats Correct As Of April 21, 2024 – As Per Sofascore | |
He made such an impression that in January of this season, Bristol City agreed a deal to sign him, but included in that was an agreement that Bird would remain on loan for the remainder of the season at Pride Park.
And Derby fans will surely be relieved that was the case with Bird’s transfer, as he added to his impressive 191 appearances before the transfer, with nine more made in this second half of the season, and, of course, he scored the all-important goal that set them on their way to promotion.
Paul Warne’s emotional message
“It was a hard decision because Tommo has been doing really well but Birdy trained really well, looked excellent, and I thought he would give us more of a goal threat.
“I’m a pretty emotional guy and I did have a bit of a weep inside when he scored. I know how much it means to him and I know how much it means to send off his time with this club with something great.
“When he came off, I told him how proud of him I was. It was a fitting ending, 200 games, a great goal and justified my decision, which makes me look great.”
The future of Derby’s midfield
With Max Bird’s departure, Derby’s midfield is poised for a significant overhaul as they return to the Championship after a two-year absence.
The contracts of Korey Smith, Conor Hourihane, and Liam Thompson are set to expire this summer, according to transfermarkt. Additionally, the loan spell of fan-favorite Ebou Adams is also coming to an end, signaling substantial changes in the Rams’ midfield lineup.
The funds from Bird’s transfer to Bristol City, along with promotion earnings, may enable Derby to offer new contracts to the trio mentioned above and potentially secure a permanent deal for Adams. However, if these plans don’t materialize, the club is exploring alternative targets.
One such target, as reported by the Sun, is Bosun Lawal, a young talent from Celtic who spent the season at relegated Fleetwood Town. Lawal has made 42 appearances for Fleetwood, contributing six goals and two assists during his time there.
While a move to the Championship could be beneficial for Lawal’s development, Celtic intends to assess his readiness for the first team during pre-season before making a decision on his future.
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