According to BBC Sport, Derby were among the clubs interested in Millar during the summer as John Eustace looked to strengthen his squad ahead of what was expected to be a hugely important Championship campaign.

DERBY COUNTY’S MISSED OPPORTUNITY: LIAM MILLAR FLOURISHING AT BIRMINGHAM CITY AS RAMS’ EARLY-SEASON STRUGGLES CONTINUE

Derby County reportedly held an interest in Liam Millar throughout the summer transfer window, but the Rams ultimately missed out on the Canadian international, who is now enjoying an impressive spell on loan at divisional rivals Birmingham City.

According to BBC Sport, Derby were among the clubs interested in Millar during the summer as John Eustace looked to strengthen his squad ahead of what was expected to be a hugely important Championship campaign.

Instead, the 26-year-old ended up joining Birmingham, and his performances at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park have quickly underlined why Derby may look back on their failure to secure his services with frustration.

For Derby supporters, the situation is particularly difficult to watch because of the club’s current position. The Rams entered the season with ambitions of challenging towards the top half of the Championship and potentially competing for a place in the expanded play-offs.

Those ambitions have already taken a significant blow.

With Derby sitting inside the relegation zone after a difficult opening period, questions are naturally beginning to emerge around the squad, recruitment, performances and whether enough was done during the summer to give Eustace the tools required to take the club forward.

Millar is not responsible for Derby’s problems, of course. But his immediate impact elsewhere provides an interesting illustration of what the Rams could potentially have added to their squad.

Derby’s summer ambitions

There was genuine optimism around Pride Park following the progress made under Eustace.

The Derby boss had inherited a club that had only just avoided an immediate return to League One during the 2024/25 campaign. Their final-day survival ensured that the Rams remained in the Championship, but the following season brought a significant opportunity to build something more positive.

Derby finished Eustace’s first full season just outside the play-off places, creating the belief that another summer of recruitment and development could potentially push the team into the promotion picture.

Supporters had every reason to hope.

The expanded Championship play-offs have created an additional opportunity for clubs outside the traditional top-six positions, and Derby appeared to be one of the teams capable of making a serious challenge if they could improve their squad.

The recruitment process was therefore always going to be crucial.

Adding players capable of providing creativity, energy and attacking threat was particularly important, and Millar reportedly emerged as one of the players Derby considered.

His versatility made him an attractive option.

The Canadian international has the ability to operate in wide areas, attack defenders, carry the ball forward and provide another dimension in the final third. His experience across different leagues and levels of English football also meant he would not have needed a lengthy adaptation period.

Yet despite the reported interest, Derby were unable to bring him to Pride Park.

Birmingham ultimately won the race.

Millar’s Birmingham impact

The decision has become increasingly significant because Millar has wasted little time showing what he can offer.

At Birmingham, he has quickly established himself as an important attacking player, bringing pace and directness to a side with ambitions of competing at the right end of the Championship.

His performances have attracted attention because he has looked comfortable operating in a demanding environment.

Rather than simply being another squad player, Millar has shown the ability to influence games.

His willingness to take responsibility in possession has been particularly noticeable. He is prepared to receive the ball under pressure, drive forward and attempt to create opportunities rather than simply recycling possession.

That kind of player can be extremely valuable in the Championship.

Matches are often decided by moments of individual quality, particularly when opponents defend deep and space is limited.

A player capable of beating an opponent, carrying the ball 20 or 30 yards up the pitch or producing an unexpected attacking action can completely change the momentum of a match.

That is precisely why Derby’s reported interest in Millar now looks so intriguing.

A frustrating situation for Derby

From Derby’s perspective, there is obviously no guarantee that Millar would have produced exactly the same performances at Pride Park.

Football does not work that way.

A player can thrive in one system and struggle in another. Different managers demand different things, while relationships with teammates, tactical structures and confidence can all influence individual performances.

Therefore, it would be unfair to suggest that Derby’s current position is simply because they failed to sign Millar.

There are much wider issues affecting the Rams.

Injuries have played a role, results have not gone their way and performances have not consistently reached the level supporters expected. There have also been concerns away from the pitch, particularly regarding the ownership situation.

All of those factors have contributed to a difficult beginning.

Nevertheless, watching a player they reportedly wanted flourish for a direct divisional rival naturally adds another layer of frustration.

Birmingham are not some distant Premier League club where Millar’s performances would barely affect Derby.

They are competing in the same division.

Every good performance Millar produces for Birmingham can therefore serve as a reminder of the opportunity Derby missed.

Eustace facing pressure

For Eustace, the situation is even more complicated.

The Derby manager earned significant credit for helping stabilize the club after their difficult 2024/25 campaign. The expectation was that the next step would be to turn Derby from a survival team into genuine promotion contenders.

That transformation was always going to require patience.

But football managers rarely receive unlimited time, particularly when results fail to match expectations.

Derby supporters will remember how close the club came to suffering relegation and how much optimism was generated by the subsequent improvement.

The problem is that expectations have now changed.

Once a club begins discussing the possibility of reaching the play-offs, supporters naturally expect recruitment to reflect those ambitions.

If the team subsequently finds itself in the relegation zone, questions about whether the squad was strong enough become unavoidable.

That is where the Millar situation becomes relevant.

The winger was reportedly identified as a player who could help improve the attacking options, yet Derby did not complete the move.

Meanwhile, Birmingham have been able to integrate him into their own plans.

Why Millar could have suited Derby

One of the most appealing aspects of Millar’s profile is his ability to add unpredictability.

Derby have needed players capable of changing the rhythm of matches, especially when opponents sit compactly and deny space.

Millar’s direct approach can provide exactly that.

He is not a player who wants to spend an entire match simply passing sideways. His instinct is often to move forward, attack space and challenge defenders.

That can create opportunities for teammates.

Even when a winger does not directly score or assist, their ability to stretch a defence can create gaps elsewhere.

A full-back may be forced deeper. A midfielder may have to move across to provide cover. A centre-back may be dragged towards the flank.

Suddenly, space opens in central areas.

For a team attempting to climb the Championship table, those small tactical advantages can be hugely important.

Millar’s pace also provides an outlet during transitions.

When possession is won, having a player capable of immediately carrying the ball forward can prevent opponents from regrouping.

That can be particularly valuable for a team looking to turn defensive situations into attacking opportunities.

Birmingham’s gain

From Birmingham’s perspective, securing Millar could prove to be one of the more important decisions of their campaign.

The club has been determined to establish itself strongly at Championship level, and adding players with the technical and physical qualities required for the division is essential.

Millar fits that profile.

His international experience with Canada also gives him an additional level of exposure to high-pressure matches.

He has represented his country at major tournaments and has played in different footballing environments, giving him experience beyond the domestic Championship.

That experience can become valuable over the course of a long season.

The Championship is notoriously demanding.

There are 46 league matches, cup competitions and long periods of intense scheduling. Injuries and suspensions inevitably become part of the equation.

Squads that have depth and players capable of changing games from the bench or starting lineup often have an advantage.

Millar’s versatility therefore gives Birmingham another weapon.

Derby still have time

Despite the disappointment, Derby’s season is far from over.

There are still 38 matches to be played, meaning the Rams have plenty of time to change the narrative.

Football can change extremely quickly.

A couple of wins can transform the mood around a club. A strong run of results can move a team away from danger and back towards the middle of the table.

Derby therefore cannot afford to allow their early-season difficulties to become self-fulfilling.

Eustace will need to find solutions.

The manager must get his best players fit, improve the team’s consistency and find a way to produce more attacking threat.

The January transfer window could also become increasingly important.

If Derby remain in trouble when the window opens, recruitment may become unavoidable.

The club will need to identify exactly what the squad is missing and make targeted additions rather than simply signing players for the sake of it.

And while Millar will not necessarily be available, his performances at Birmingham could provide a useful reminder of the qualities Derby should be looking for.

The bigger picture

Ultimately, Derby’s reported interest in Millar is just one small part of a much bigger story.

The Rams’ current problems cannot be placed on one transfer that did not happen.

Their position is the result of several factors, including inconsistent performances, injuries, difficult results and uncertainty surrounding the club.

However, football is often about fine margins.

A player who can produce a moment of quality can be the difference between a draw and a victory.

A signing who adds competition can push another player to improve.

An attacking option who provides something different can give a manager another tactical solution.

That is why recruitment matters so much.

For Derby, Millar represents a particularly interesting example because he was reportedly on their radar and is now producing for a Championship rival.

Had the Rams completed the deal, nobody could guarantee that he would have made the same impact.

But watching him flourish elsewhere will inevitably leave supporters wondering what might have been.

A warning for the January window

If Derby are serious about reversing their fortunes, the January transfer window could become a defining period.

The club cannot afford to repeat mistakes if the squad requires reinforcement.

Recruitment must be focused on players who fit Eustace’s tactical approach and are capable of contributing immediately.

There is little value in signing players simply because they are available.

The Rams need players who can improve the starting XI and increase competition throughout the squad.

Millar’s success at Birmingham demonstrates the importance of identifying players who can make an immediate impact.

Derby may not be able to change the past, but they can learn from it.

There is still a long way to go in the season, and the club has every opportunity to recover.

But if Birmingham continue to benefit from Millar’s performances while Derby struggle at the opposite end of the Championship table, the decision not to secure the Canadian’s services will continue to attract attention.

For now, Millar is focused on Birmingham and his own development.

Derby, meanwhile, have to focus on survival first before they can begin thinking about the ambitions that dominated conversations during the summer.

The Rams still have time to turn their season around.

But the pressure is growing, and the sight of a reported summer target flourishing for a divisional rival will only make the situation more frustrating for supporters at Pride Park.