The midfielder has played five Championship games for the club this season, including one start.

However, he was powerless to help the club avoid the drop as Derby were left with too much work to overcome.

The defeat to QPR left the Rams 23rd in the table, 10 points away from Reading with only three games left to play.

Derby will now have to plan for life in League One, with new ownership on the horizon.

For now, they must play Bristol City at home on April 23.

The Verdict

That an 18-year old feels the need to address the supporters in itself is indicative of where Derby’s season has gone.

The squad has been depleted with players leaving but no money available to replace them.

It has been an incredibly difficult campaign and the team deserve credit for their efforts to avoid relegation.

It will not be easy to come back straight away as League One can be a hard division to get away from, but if they can keep this team together in any way with Rooney at the helm then they stand a chance at promotion next season.