Nottingham Forest star Brennan Johnson has named scoring in both matches against Derby County this season as the highlight of his career so far.
The 20-year-old equalised for the Reds and cancelled out Tom Lawrence's early opener with a strike eight minutes from time to salvage a point from Pride Park back in late August. It was the attacking midfielder's first Championship goal in just a ninth league appearance for Forest.
Four further goals followed against Barnsley, Blackpool, Swansea City and Hull City followed over the next five months before Johnson was again scoring against their East Midlands rivals. On this occasion in late January, the attacking midfielder scored what turned out to be the winner at the City Ground in a 2-1 win for the Reds.
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Johnson has gone as far as saying scoring in the East Midlands derby is the highlight of his career to date. "Scoring against Derby," was the reply when asked on the Sky Sports EFL Podcast for the best moment. "Either one, home or away, yeah, a really good day, both of them.
It was then put to the academy graduate and self-confessed Forest fan that scoring against the Rams puts him in club folklore forever. Johnson agreed: "Exactly. I mean it’s a massive game and yeah, I was really happy with that and really proud."
That first goal against Derby came just three months on from play-off heartbreak on loan at League One side Lincoln City. Johnson played the full 90 minutes and assisted the first-minute opener when Ollie Turton turned the ball into his own net.
That 2-1 defeat, following a brace from Kenny Dougall for the Seasiders, was the last of loanee's 48 appearances for Michael Appleton's side before returning to Forest. Johnson also spoke about that spell on the same podcast and revealed the one thing he would change about his career so far.
