Bob Malcolm was one of Derby boss Billy Davies' early season recruits. Although injury has restricted the midfielder to a handful of games so far, he is confident of making a push in the final third of the season as Derby bid to cement their promotion credentials. The Rams sit proudly atop the Championship with a dozen games remaining and as givemefootball's Ian Clarkson discovered, confidence is high at Pride Park - even after last night's surprise home defeat to Stoke.
Q:HOW DO YOU ASSESS YOUR SIX MONTHS SO FAR AT THE CLUB, BOB?
A:It's been an up and down season so far for me but the initial aims when I signed remain the same - to play regularly for the first team and to put in some consistently good performances. Things were going really well for me at the start but the injury set me back seven or eight weeks. However, I have been back in the side of late and hopefully I can stay in the team and then get my game back to the level I know I can play at. I knew my time as a Rangers player wasn't going to last forever and now that chapter is closed and I'm excited at this new challenge. The stadium and the training ground facilities at Derby are second to none and it's anything but a step down for me as I need to get playing regularly and take my career to a new level.
Q:HOW IS THE INJURY?
A:I don't want to dwell on the injury because when you get over the worst of an injury it's best just to put it behind you and move forward, but I am still feeling a tiny bit of pain in my ankle because i''s still a bit raw after the operation and I'm still not 100 per cent fit. That's bound to play a part in my performances but it's getting better every day I know that really soon I can be right on top of my game again. It's been a frustrating spell but I know there's more to come from me, and the manager knows that too. He has complete faith in me and I'm happy with that.
Q:LAST NIGHT'S RESULT ASIDE, YOU MUST BELIEVE YOU ARE IN WITH A REALISTIC SHOUT OF PROMOTION NOW?
A:There's a real quality in the squad now, especially with all the signings the manager made during the transfer window. There's great competition for places and that can only be a good thing. Some players may fear for their places when other players who play in similar positions arrive but I think it's fantastic we now have five or six excellent midfielders all vying for places in the team. It can only benefit the side and the club as a whole.
Q:BILLY HAS BEEN GENEROUS IN HIS PRAISE WHEN YOU HAVE PLAYED. WHAT'S THE SITUATION WITH ALEX MCCLEISH AND YOUR INTERNATIONAL AMBITIONS?
A:It's really nice to hear the manager talking like that and I would love to be involved with Scotland again in the future but the most important thing first and foremost is I get back to playing well for Derby. But it's not just about me becoming a better player. We have an ambitious group of lads her now who all want to improve their games and there's every chance of them doing that under a manager like Billy Davies.
Q:HOW HIGHLY DO YOU RATE HIM?
A:The gaffer is infectious and enthusiastic and, perhaps most importantly, is committed to taking Derby County further. Billy is the best coach I've ever worked with and I had the pleasure of working with some really good ones at Rangers. He has got everything and I've no doubt that in the future he will be managing at the very top level of English football. What's more I don't see why with a little bit of patience and plenty of hard work from all concerned that it can't be with Derby County.
