EFE Ambrose insists he is eager to repay Frank Lampard’s ‘trust’ by helping Derby County win promotion back to the Premier League.

The former Celtic defender penned a short-term deal with the Rams on Friday after invoking a clause in his contract to quit Hibs last month.

The 30-year-old knocked back the chance to move abroad to instead sign for Derby and has set his sights high south of the border.

He said: “I know what it means to be in the top six and what it means to get a ticket to the Premier League.

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“I know the ambition that Frank Lampard wants for this club, so for me that is a motivation.

“Every player wants to make a mark and I want to do the best I can do to give back to the club.

“All I can do is make sure we are in the top six, the play-offs, or the coaches have said, automatic promotion.

“We are aiming for the top two places to get the automatic ticket so once you put that in your head then it’s a challenge and it’s not impossible.”

With Derby currently sitting seventh ahead of the visit of Millwall tomorrow, Ambrose added to Rams TV: “I know it’s a busy time playing every weekend and that’s the challenge I like. It’s competitive football that I like so I don’t have a problem with that.

“I want to prove myself and make sure to repay his trust in me and that is why I’m here.”