Rooney delivers fresh Derby takeover update as club edge closer to League One

Derby County boss Wayne Rooney has once again re-iterated his desire for the club's long protracted takeover to finally be resolved.

The Rams are in administration and talks are ongoing with regards a new buyer for the stricken club.

They have a multitude of off-field problems, not least of all the 21-point deduction that has been handed down this season.

It has left them virtually consigned to being relegated from the Championship, barring a miracle.

Monday night saw them lose 2-1 at home to QPR with front-runner American businessman Chris Kirchner once again an interested onlooker.

That was the third time that Kirchner, 34, has watched Derby in the flesh.

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Rooney was asked post-match if he could give an update on the situation. He said: "I have shown my commitment to the club, he has shown his commitment.

"Of course I understand it is difficult, there are obstacles to get over and I think for everyone's sake the quicker this can get done it makes my job easier and it allows me to start putting things in place.

"Hopefully it can get done as soon as possible.

"I have had conversations with him and as I said his commitment is there, whether that is Championship or League One.

"I know it is a difficult job for the administrators.

"As they have said there are a few options on the table but for the sake of this club we need it done as quick as possible."

Monday's defeat to Rangers was a gut-wrenching one for Rooney and his players to take, especially as Derby had led 1-0 at half-time.

Skipper Tom Lawrence fired them in front only for Chris Willock to restore parity after the break.

With the game meandering to a stalemate, substitute Andre Gray then fired home an outrageous goal in stoppage time.

The result leaves Rooney's side rock-bottom on a solitary point and a whopping 19 shy of safety.

Rooney added: "We started very well even before we scored, on the front foot.

"We scored the goal and we dropped back too quickly, didn't get the press right like we worked on.

"I said to the lads at half-time the warning signs are there, we had to wake up, we had to be better. We were giving the ball away too easily.

"It's a tough one to take but I think we got what we deserved."

It was revealed last week that the beleaguered club suffered a trading loss of £1.2million during their first eight weeks in administration.

They went into administration in September, suffering the automatic 12-point penalty that comes with it.

A further nine-point docking was handed down in November for a breach of accounting policies.

Without the deductions, Rooney's side would be in 19th place in the standings.