Plymouth manager Wayne Rooney says Derby County have a 'huge place' in his heart as he prepares to face his former team this week.

Rooney's playing career ended and his managerial career started at Derby as he oversaw a difficult time for the club. The Rams narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship with Rooney at the helm, but were relegated the following year as financial issues sent the club into administration.

Derby secured promotion back to the second tier last season after finishing second in League One and come up against Rooney's Plymouth on Saturday, and the former striker looked back on his time at Pride Park.

"It was difficult times for the football club, for the fans, for the staff," he told reporters. "We had staff members being made redundant and losing their jobs, but we had to really try and keep it close-knit. Sometimes through the most difficult moments bring people together, and I think that's exactly what happened."

Rooney added: "Derby County has a huge place in my heart. My last game in football was for Derby and they gave me an opportunity in management and I had some really good times there. The fans were excellent, so it's a place where I really enjoyed going into work. Of course while they're playing us I don't want them to do well, but other than that it's good to see them back in the Championship."

Plymouth are third-bottom in the Championship after 14 matches, but the table is still tight at this stage as just four points separate them from ninth place. They will hope to claw their way up the table with a second straight win at the weekend.