LIAM Feeney insists the Rovers players won’t let themselves be affected by the departure of Grant Hanley, even though he was a leader on and off the pitch.

The 24-year-old centre-back sealed his switch to Newcastle United on Thursday, signing a five-year deal in a move believed to be worth around £5.5million.

Feeney admits the Scotland international will be missed at Ewood Park, but has backed the ‘strong group’ that manager Owen Coyle has assembled to focus on being ready for the start the season.

He said: “A lot of lads have been in the game a long time and in football people do come and go.

“Obviously Grant was huge at the club, a big player on the pitch and a big personality off it in the changing room. He was a leader of the boys.

“It’s going to be a blow, as it would be for any club, to lose their skipper and a player of the quality that Grant’s got.

“But we can’t let it affect us like that. The lads wish him all the best and hope he does well for his new club.

“We can only focus on what we’re doing here.

“We’ve got a strong group, and I think the gaffer’s still looking to add to that group, so we can only focus on what we’re doing and be positive about it.”

Winger Feeney signed a two-year deal with Rovers at the end of June and has the option of extending it for a further 12 months if things go to plan.

It’s his second spell at the club after a brief loan period when he made one start and five substitute appearances under Gary Bowyer at the end of the 2013-14 season.

But this time round he’s determined to show fans the true scale of his talents following two excellent season at Bolton Wanderers.

He said: “I feel like I have something to prove every day with my career.

“Every time you go out onto the pitch you’re being judged, you’re out there to prove to people what sort of player you are and what you can do.

“I’m a different player to the one I was when I came here on loan before.

“I’ve had a couple of good seasons at Bolton, so I’ve improved a lot since then, and this time I’m sure the fans are going to see a lot more of me than they did last time.

“They’ll get to have more of an educated opinion of me.

“The loan was what it was. It was at a time when the lads were doing really well and pushing for the play-off mix, so it was hard to come in as a loan player.

“I was happy to do it because the manager at the time wanted me to do it, maybe help push them over the line.

“Unfortunately it didn’t happen, but that was a couple of years ago and and I’m here as a fully-fledged member of the squad now with a full pre-season under my belt, so it’s a completely different opportunity and time for me.”

Feeney played 45 minutes at Rochdale on Tuesday and wants to build up to more game time, starting with this afternoon’s trip to Blackpool.

He added: “It’s all about getting the minutes in and building them up towards the end of pre-season.

“The manager will be looking at getting everyone full games so you’ve got that base going into the season that we’re going to need.

“Hopefully, sooner rather than later, I can get a full game or two under the belt.”