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Play-Off Q&A: Ian Harte

11 May 2019

A man who knows a thing or two about stepping up for Leeds United on big occasions, Ian Harte can't wait to see his former side in this year's Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs.

With Leeds preparing to take on Derby County at Pride Park on Saturday evening (kick-off 5:15pm), here's what the Elland Road cult hero had to say in our Q&A...

First of all, it's Derby v Leeds this weekend in the Play-Offs. What a game!

"Absolutely! For me, having watched Derby against West Brom on the final day, I think they're the club going into the Play-Offs with momentum. They've got a young group of players that are hungry, so Leeds will have to be on their game."

Will Leeds' wins over Derby in the regular season be playing on the players' minds?

"Yeah, I think earlier on in the season Leeds won convincingly at Derby. I know Harry Wilson didn't play at Elland Road, but he'll be back for this one, so it will be a tasty game. If Leeds can come away with a draw and take that back to our place, it's on."

And speaking on Elland Road, those fans will have a big part to play too, won't they?

"Of course. It will be a full house, but in the first leg, the Leeds fans that are travelling to Derby will get right behind the lads. They can be the 12th man."

Marcelo Bielsa's done a fantastic job at Leeds. What have you made of his time as manager so far?

"It's pretty much the same group of players that were there last year, so what he's done in motivating the players and the whole club is amazing. He's got everyone on board; I know the last few results haven't been the best, but that's where the fans come in. They'll get right behind the team."

They will be disappointed at not being promoted automatically. How important is it to get over that quickly now?

"For me, having played in the Championship and having won promotion, it's the hardest league in the world to get promoted from. All credit to Norwich and Sheffield United over the course of what's been a long and hard season, the two who go up automatically deserve it. Leeds just missed out and have to refocus and regroup, these next two games are massive - if they win them, they'll be in the Final at Wembley."

Who have been the standout players for you at Leeds this season?

"I have to mention Pablo Hernandez. He's a leader on and off the pitch. Another two are Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper, who have been rock solid all season. Ideally, both for the Leeds fans and myself, we'd love to see Leeds win promotion."

Going back a bit, what was it like being part of the Leeds sides that did so well in Europe in the early 2000s?

"It was amazing. Pretty much every game was a sell-out, we had a great team, a lot of young lads and a sprinkle of experience too. You're talking about Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Lee Bowyer, it was a special group. I was there for a long time and loved every single minute of it, and these days I try to watch as many Leeds games as I can. If you'd say to this group at the start of the season that they'd finish third, I think they would have taken it. It's a great achievement, but the ultimate goal is to get promoted."

You scored some great goals in your time at Leeds - which is your favourite?

"Probably the goal against Deportivo in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. There was so much at stake and it was probably one of the best games I played. I assisted the other goals as well, so it was brilliant. For me, that was the game I enjoyed most."

Back to this year's Play-Offs, the winner of this tie will face either Aston Villa or West Brom. What have you made of them?

"Well, prior to us playing against Villa, I would have said it was them that looked the strongest. They've got a lot of experience and so do West Brom - it's pot luck really! You have to make sure you stay in these ties after the first leg."

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