Derby County find themselves unbeaten in five games and most recently picked up a comfortable 2-0 home win against Luton Town. 

The Rams made a few signings during the summer, one of which was Graeme Shinnie on a free transfer from Aberdeen.

The midfielder, who is also comfortable at left back, was signed on a pre-contract agreement by previous manager Frank Lampard, who left for Chelsea pretty much as the Scottish international walked through the doors at Moor Farm.

The 28-year-old had only made two appearances for the Rams before Saturday, both in the Carabao Cup against Scunthorpe United and local rivals Nottingham Forest and with the recent injury to Tom Huddlestone suffered at Barnsley, it has paved the way for Shinnie to claim his place in the team and he did himself plenty of favours with his performance against Luton Town.

Here we take a look at the three reasons why Graeme Shinnie should keep his place in the Derby side for their next game away at Charlton Athletic...

Midfield steel

Derby have been fairly lightweight in midfield this season, utilising the likes of Jamie Paterson and Duane Holmes for their attacking prowess.

With being so attacking, Derby have missed the box to box style player who gets stuck in.

Shinnie plays this role really well and his ability to regain possession and play simple was so important for Derby on Saturday, and gave Jamie Paterson the licence to express himself going forward.

Man of the match performance

The 28-year-old was so good on his debut that he picked up the man of the match award.

The Scotsman's style will particularly suit Derby in the away games where they are more gritty but even in the home game against Luton, he showed composure on the ball and kept the Rams ticking.

Phillip Cocu will have a lot of thinking to do after his performance and we should expect to see more from Shinnie as he grows into this Derby side.

Balance

The Scottish international brings a balance to the Derby side, with the attacking ability of the midfielders at the club, Shinnie is a completely different style to all of the others and brings the balance to the side that Derby may have been missing throughout the season so far.

In certain games, especially against Brentford earlier in the season, the Rams were exposed with a lack of cover in front of Tom Huddlestone and now with Krystian Bielik looking to fill that role, he may appreciate having the likes of the former Aberdeen man to cover him.