RISING star Grant Hanley insists that the hard work starts now after putting pen-to-paper on a new contract on Wednesday.
The Scottish under 19 captain followed in the footsteps of fellow youngsters Martin Olsson and Phil Jones by signing a five-year deal that sees him contracted to the club until the summer of 2015.
"It is brilliant, it is what I've aspired to, it is what all the hard work goes in for, so it is brilliant and a bit of a relief really," said the central defender.
"But as they say, the hard work starts now, now that the contract has signed."
Hanley started last season with Gary Bowyer's Academy side, but quickly progressed from the under 18s through to the Reserves and not before long he was training with the first team.
The culmination of which saw Hanley put in a man-of-the-match display on his Barclays Premier League debut in the 1-0 victory at Aston Villa on the final day of the 2009-10 season.
Now firmly part of Sam Allardyce's first team squad, Hanley is keeping a cool head and not setting himself any targets.
"I've never looked too far ahead or set any goals, it has always been a case of taking each day as it comes, but last year went really well for me," added the 18-year-old.
"I started off with the Academy then I worked my way through the Reserves and I was lucky enough to get a start with the first team at the end of the season.
"But I know what I have to do, I have to keep my head down, work hard every day in training and do the right things.
"I've not set any targets or goals for myself, just to work hard and to take every day as it comes and see what happens."
Hanley is just one of a growing number of youngsters to break through in the last twelve months, and the defender can only see a bright future for Rovers.
"Blackburn Rovers is a great place to be, the manager is excellent with the young boys here so it is probably the best place to be to get a chance.
"It is good for everyone as well, it keeps it competitive, it keeps the standards high and with all the young lads playing it helps to bring each other on as well, it is good that everybody is coming through and doing well."
