It's Green for go

The personnel and the stage will be much different in the Championship opener at Derby County tomorrow - something that new boy Paul Green knows only too well.

After playing against one former club in the form of Doncaster Rovers last weekend, the Republic of Ireland international heads to another tomorrow.

The 31-year-old spent seven years at Rovers before a move to Derby in 2008, where he made 143 appearances until his departure.

That Championship experience was one of the key reasons why Steve Evans was so keen to bring the all-action midfielder to the New York Stadium.

Spells at Leeds United and Ipswich Town followed, and Rotherham weren't the only club interested in acquiring his services this summer.

He said: "When I signed here the manager said he didn't just want to be content with staying up and that's my attitude as well; that's the main reason why I joined.

"You don't want to be in a team that's just happy to be here you want to push on and I'm sure we'll surprise a few teams this year.

"The main difference in the Championship is that it's more clinical, teams take their chances more often. You need to be organised and have strength in depth. It's going to be a big test."

A near 30,000 crowd will await the two sides at the iPro Stadium; that dramatic encounter at Gresty Road saw around 20 per cent of that figure go through the gates.

"The supporters there are ridiculous and they really get behind them but I'm sure we'll be taking a few fans as well and the atmosphere will be great," said Green.

"They're a good club and I enjoyed my time there. They've improved massively under the new manager and they will be there or thereabouts again. It's a huge challenge but from what I've seen so far with the new lads and old we can definitely compete with anyone.

"We just need to make sure we're on our game and if we are then I'm sure we'll cause them some problems."