WAG THE TALE
Rams striker looking for play-off glory to end shoot-out agony
MARTYN WAGHORN wants some play-off glory to end a nine-year personal hell.
The Derby striker missed from the spot for Leicester against Cardiff in a Championship play-off semi-final shoot-out in May 2010.
Leicester lost 4-3 on penalties, although Cardiff then lost to Blackpool at Wembley.
“We know what’s at the end of it, we know what the goal is,” Waghorn said.
“I haven’t been involved in anything like this for a while. When I first came through at Leicester, I had the same situation.
“Is there some personal redemption? Yes, definitely. I learnt so much that day. I grew up as a person and as a footballer.
“Now I want to get to the final, it’s why I came here, with the history of this club, they’ve always been there or thereabouts in recent years. I want to do whatever I can to get the boys in there and maybe take it one step further.”
The Rams face QPR at home this afternoon three points off Middlesbrough, who sit in the final play-off position.
Ten goals in two games at Pride Park have seen expectations rise, but Waghorn knows there is no room for slip-ups.
“This season’s different as there are four or five teams with similar points and similar goal difference all going for the one spot,” he added.
Derby twice came back to draw 2-2 at Birmingham City on Friday and he continued: “We showed the character we needed to come back from going behind.
“QPR will be a big game, we know what we’ve got to do, nothing less than three points, it’s up to us to do that. We’re still in with a shout.”
Rangers are desperate to secure their Championship status and caretaker boss John Eustace knows the trip to his old club will be a tough ask on the back of just two league wins in 2019.
And he is still looking over his shoulder with a victory needed to guarantee survival mathematically.
Eustace (below) said: “Rotherham can easily go and win their remaining three games, no problems at all.
“I think the club would like us to give a few youngsters a chance and I certainly would as well – but not in the situation we’re in at the moment.
“We’ve got a really big game away at Derby now and it’s important that we’re competitive, we show up and take it from there.”
QPR look set to be without defenders Angel Rangel, Jake Bidwell, Grant Hall and Toni Leistner again today.
Eustace added: “We are down to the bare bones now. But all the boys want to play, so it’s up to them when they put on the shirt now.”