Joe Rankin-Costello believes there is still more to come from him at Rovers – and is eager to take on more responsibility in the final third.

The Academy graduate produced six goal contributions this season despite a couple of spells on the sidelines due to injury.

Rankin-Costello made his 100th appearance for the club during the win at Leicester on the final day and could not have picked a better game to celebrate the milestone.

“It could not have gone any better. We knew we needed a result and I found out on the pitch that everyone else was winning. The nerves were horrendous but we ended up getting a result,” he told RoversTV.

“It has taken me longer than I thought (to reach 100 games), but I have hit it now and hopefully I can make more appearances for the club. I am still learning and hopefully I can keep getting better.

“Next year, I want more goals and assists. If I can get 10-plus to my name, I will be happy.”

The 24-year-old played most of the game at the King Power Stadium, eventually making way for Jake Garrett in stoppage time.

Rankin-Costello was full of praise for team-mate Sam Szmodics, who capped off a remarkable season in front of goal with another brace. The pair combined for the second goal as the Irish international raced past Mads Hermansen and kept his cool to finish off a ruthless counter attack.

“It was massive and obviously when you have got the top goalscorer, you can win any game,” he added.

“Fortunately for us, we have got Sammie. I saw a stat that said he has scored 43 per cent of our goals and it went up (on Saturday). He is just unbelievable!

“He is relentless with his sprinting, his movement is unbelievable and this year I think he has become more clinical.

“The second goal, my pass was overhit and he managed to get there, take it round the keeper and score.”

There were scenes of jubilation after the final whistle as the squad celebrated with the travelling supporters.

“It was an unbelievable feeling,” Rankin-Costello beamed. “I knew we had to get something.

“It gives you that extra cushion and we have built on it with the gaffer, he said keep clean sheets and you will win games.

“We have kept five out of nine and that is unbelievable. We set a target of hitting five clean sheets and that is what we have done, it has kept us up.

“Fair play to us, the gaffer and his staff. They have been unbelievable since they came in.

The versatile wideman has enjoyed working with Eustace and his coaching staff since their arrival in East Lancashire earlier this year.

Rankin-Costello believes Rovers are capable of much more than their league position this season and is eager to keep heading in the right direction.

“We have had ups and downs, but the gaffer came in and got us together,” he continued. “The goal was to stay up because we were on a downward spiral, and he has managed to keep us up.

“We want to build on it next season because, in my opinion, we should not be where we are. Hopefully, next season we can push on and do what we know we are capable of.”