Carlisle United manager on televised Derby County finale

The Sky cameras will be on the Blues this afternoon when they take on promotion-chasing Derby County at Pride Park (kick-off 12.30pm).

While most of the attention will be on the hosts as they chase a result to seal their place in the Championship, relegated Carlisle’s last League One game comes with extra scrutiny.

Manager Simpson said his team must perform under the spotlight.

“It actually gives them a bigger platform to show their true self because I don't think anybody – me, any of the staff, any of the players – will want the whole of the footballing world to have a picture of Carlisle United of how we've done all season,” he said.

“It's about going and putting on a good performance, a strong performance, and sticking together which we'll have to do because Derby are a good side, a very, very experienced side.

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“We know it's going to be a tough test, but it's a test that hopefully we'll go and do ourselves justice in.”

Derby County's sell-out home support expect to see promotion sealed today - while Carlisle will be backed by a strong four-figure travelling army (Image: PA)

Today’s game could see a swansong for certain Carlisle players whose contracts are up in the summer.

It is also United’s final game before an expected major summer overhaul of the squad for the return to League Two.

Simpson, who could recall fit-again midfielder Dylan McGeouch today, said Derby’s sell-out ground is the kind of place his players should strive to get back to in the future.

“You’ve got to aspire to be on that sort of stage, that's where you want to be,” said Simpson, a former Derby player and coach.

“I've been really fortunate to play in Pride Park when it's full, and it is a brilliant atmosphere.

“We know that if we can go and do it right, and go and get about Derby and go and cause them problems, they'll be nervous.

“I've been involved in those games and it is nervy. We've got to try and get ourselves with our noses in front and make it really difficult and make them get even more nervous, and see whether or not we can go and get a positive result.”

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While Derby’s home sections will be packed, an impressive 1,700+ travelling support will back Simpson’s team in spite of United’s struggles all campaign.

“They've been absolutely outstanding, we can't thank them enough for what they're doing,” said United’s boss of the Blue Army.

“They are certainly disappointed with what the season has thrown at them, just as we are, and hopefully we can finish it on a high.

“I think the reason they're staying with us is because they realise that there's a lot of real positive things going on in the club and the summer is a big summer for us to make sure that we get it right.”