Steve McClaren targets Derby County improvement

Derby County manager Steve McClaren has admitted that his team suffered from opening-day nerves in the slender 1-0 win over Rotherham United at the iPro Stadium today.

Jeff Hendrick struck an 82nd-minute winner as last season's beaten playoff finalists edged out the newly-promoted Millers to get their Championship campaign off to a winning start.

Speaking to BBC Sport, McClaren said that his side lacked a cutting edge, and claimed that Rotherham boast enough quality to stave off relegation on their return to the second tier.

"The result is very important, we always look for a performance but there was enough good play that shows we will get better and grow from this," the 53-year-old said.

"We started unbelievably well but then we started to force it, we didn't use the width enough but there were a lot of good things and it was nice to get the three points.

"Rotherham were excellent, they were very disciplined and worked hard and they made it very difficult for us. If they keep playing like that they will have no problems."

The Rams face Carlisle United on Monday in a first-round Capital One Cup encounter.