Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn Rovers youngsters Joe Rankin-Costello has said that he is hoping to make his way into Tony Mowbray’s first-team plans after spending some time on the sidelines.
Joe Rankin-Costello has made just two senior appearances for Blackburn Rovers, featuring mainly for their Under-23s side having come through the Championship side’s youth academy. And now, having completed his return from injury, he is ready to fight for a place in Tony Mowbray’s first-team plans.
Since returning, the 20-year-old has been in strong form, scoring four goals in six games for Billy Brr’s Under-23s side and he is hoping that he will be given his shot in the senior side soon. Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, he said:
“I’d like a few more chances, but it’s been good to be around it. My aim this season is to try and get in the team and take my chance. I have always believed in myself to come back and get back to how I was.
“It’s better being in and around the first team, but it’s good to come down because you don’t want to not be playing games. You need to keep ticking over. I’d love to play every game, and be on the bench for the first-team. The minutes are the main thing, you learn more from the games than training, so I’d rather be playing.”
Rankin-Costello went on to speak about his injury lay-off, adding that it is something that is part and parcel of football, adding that it has helped his development in some ways. He said:
“It’s part of football, something you have to get on with, work hard in the gym. I wasn’t probably strong enough before my injury, but I feel I am now, so it’s helped me in a way.
“While you’re playing you can’t really focus as much on the gym because you don’t want to tire your legs but that time out gave me a year to strengthen up and become more a man.”
