Derby’s long-serving forward has been linked with a move away after struggling for goals this season.
One goal in 20 league appearances is poor by any attacker’s standards but when you are one of the key forward players in a side with the second lowest strike rate in the entire division, such profligacy really cannot be excused.
Steve McClaren obviously thinks so, too. Previously a regular starter, Johnny Russell has dropped out of the Derby County side recently after being hauled off at the interval in their 3-0 defeat at Norwich City earlier in the month.
Consequently, the Derby Telegraph reports that the veteran gaffer has lost faith in the Scotland international with Birmingham City ready to make a January bid.
This comes just a matter of days after Russell was left on the bench for the entire 90 minutes in the 1-0 loss at Leeds United on Friday.
However, although the hard-working, winger-cum-forward has failed to hit double figures in any of his three previous campaigns at the iPro, his spirit and energy could still prove vital in the latter stages of the season if injuries and fatigue take their toll.
McClaren’s favoured 4-3-3 formation also relies heavily on the versatility and interchangeability of its attacking trio, meaning Russell should prove important to his manager on a tactical standpoint, too.
Furthermore, although he may not be the most consistent of goal-scorers, Russell possesses a rather mean purple patch. Despite netting one in 20, he is certainly capable of rippling the onion bag a few times in the space of a number of weeks.
Russell’s run of form might be worth waiting for.
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