Paul Clement hails Derby County's hat-trick hero Tom Ince

Derby County head coach Paul Clement has praised the performance that Tom Ince produced during tonight's 4-0 win over Bristol City.

The playmaker had gone eight games without a goal prior to City's visit, but he ended the drought by scoring a hat-trick at the iPro Stadium.

"Tom got three of those so I'm delighted for him. He has gone through a little bit of a difficult time where his own confidence has been knocked," Clement told the club's official website.

"He's been very mentally strong during this period and has continued to work hard. I played him inside, just off the front, from the start - where he got two of his goals - before I moved him out wide and he got another from that position. I'm very pleased for him and hopefully he can really push on from this."

The 23-year-old had never previously scored a hat-trick in his professional career.