I love pressure on my name - Rams loanee Szmodics
Szmodics has scored two goals in his opening seven matches on loan from Ipswich
- Published
Derby County match-winner Sammie Szmodics says he's enjoying the "pressure" of expectation as the Rams push for a place in the Championship play-offs.
The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international arrived on loan from Ipswich in January, scoring his second goal for the club in Monday's 1-0 win at strugglers Portsmouth.
It leaves the Rams three points off the top six ahead of Wrexham's game at Watford on Tuesday.
Szmodics told BBC Derby: "Positive or negative, I enjoy the pressure. I've worked so hard to get to this level, and I've worked so hard to have that pressure on my name.
"There's big names in the changing-room, and we're here to score goals. If we're not doing that, we're open to pressure and criticism, and that drives us on".
Szmodics scored one goal in 18 appearances for Ipswich before his loan move, and Tractor Boys head coach Kieran McKenna admitted Szmodics' departure "wasn't a football decision", but about the "values of our dressing room and of our team".
Szmodics has chosen to let his performances do the talking: "Listen - there are things said in football, there are opinions and different sides in football you don't get to hear.
"I just focus on playing football. As soon as I knew there was interest from Derby and John Eustace, it was something I couldn't turn down.
"I'm just focusing on getting match fit and enjoying scoring goals, and hopefully leading Derby back into the play-offs.
"Its been a bit of a stop-start season at the beginning, so to come here at a great football club and score two goals, I feel like I'm getting my season underway and getting that match fitness and match sharpness.
"To score the winner and put us that step closer to the play-offs is what I've been brought in to do, and hopefully I can score many more."
