BILLY McKinlay can sign off his season at Ewood tomorrow with a definite sense of pride.

For the granite-tough midfielder has been one of several major reasons why Blackburn Rovers will be going into the final Premiership game against Leicester City relaxed instead of over-wraught.

The fans have recognised McKinlay's complete commitment to the cause, so has Tony Parkes - the man who salvaged the Scot's Ewood career when it was in the doldrums - and his team-mates also readily acknowledge a superb contribution.

Skipper Tim Sherwood, who led by example himself even before the revival began, pointed out: "I think a big plus for us was the introduction of Billy McKinlay.

"If you look back at the time results started improving then that co-incides with Billy returning to the side."

The role of 'sitting' in front of the central defenders was somewhat alien to a player more accustomed to charging forward into opposition territory.

But McKinlay adapted quickly and admitted: "I have enjoyed it. Tony asked me to play there and I have just gone out and done my best every week.

"It's not the most glamourous role in the world and I would like to get forward and have a few more efforts at goal.

"But every man to his own. He's asked me to play there and do a job and I've just done it to the best of my ability.

"And Tim and Flitty have done a good job getting forward, so who's to say Tony has been wrong?

"It has been a remarkable escape and next year we can only go forward.

"The new manager will come in and I think he'll probably buy two or three players with maybe a bit of personnel changing.

"But I am sure the club will be back up there where they should be and where they have been in the previous three or four years."

McKinlay, like his team-mates, is relieved the relegation scrap - as far as Rovers are concerned - is not going to the final day.

Not that it will make any difference to his attitude against Leicester, also safe, as there is only one way this man knows how to play - fully committed.

And, as well as aiming to finish on a high, Rovers are already anticipating a fresh start. Sherwood added: "We are now starting to look forward to next season. There will be a new manager next time and he will raise the profile of the club again."

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