The former Birmingham City boss clashed with the Derby County attacker in 2015 – but that will be put to one side if Rowett arrives at the iPro.
Few managers will make the move to a new club excited at the prospect of working with a forward who has scored just one goal in 27 league appearances.
Yet, Gary Rowett’s rejuvenation of Burton Albion and Birmingham City was powered by a penchant for improving the players at his disposal and there’s little doubt that Scottish winger Johnny Russell could play a key part in the 43-year-old’s plans if he is appointed to replace Steve McClaren at Derby County.
Rowett, you see, is a long-time admirer of the former Dundee United striker. According to the Evening Telegraph, the ‘young British manager’ was keen on bringing the versatile attacker to former club Birmingham in the summer only to plump for a cheaper alternative, Dundee’s Greg Stewart.
The 26-year-old has continued to be linked with a move away from the iPro throughout the season, however, with fans frustrated about his continued involvement in the side despite contributing a single goal and no assists from his position on the left of the front free.
However, instead of becoming a casualty of the McClaren reign as Birmingham continued to be linked in January, Russell could soon stand proud as another example of Rowett’s ability to transform a player’s fortunes.
His work ethic and never-say-die attitude will no doubt impress a manager renowned for his pragmatism and demand for an organised platform from which to build and, as Russell demonstrated in his first three seasons in the East Midlands in which he netted 25 times, there is real attacking quality bubbling under the surface.
And, in Rowett, he might find the manager capable of jumpstarting a career that has stalled badly this season.
The fact that Russell and Rowett engaged heated exchange as Derby clashed with Birmingham in 2015, the forward incurring the Blues boss’ wrath after failing to kick the ball out of play with Tom Ince receiving treatment, is likely to be water under the bridge if the forward finds his shooting boots once again.
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