KEITH Gillespie today began the task of finding himself a new club after being shown the door by Rovers boss Graeme Souness.

The Northern Ireland international has now been officially told that his contract won't be renewed when it expires this summer.

But Gillespie has admitted he was considering quitting Rovers anyway after becoming frustrated by his lack of first team opportunities.

"The chances are that if I'd been offered a new contract I might not have taken it anyway because I don't want to be a bit-part player," said Gillespie.

"I want to play in every game but that's never going to happen here.

"The first season we came back into the Premiership I played a good number of games and thought I had a good season but this season has been disappointing in that respect.

"I'm disappointed to leave but people have to understand that the decision was out of my hands and it's just a case of me trying to get on with things and finding a new club now."

Gillespie knew the writing was on the wall from the moment Souness made his move for David Thompson last summer.

The arrival of the Coventry midfielder effectively condemned Gillespie to the substitute's bench and he's been living on borrowed time ever since.

"David Thompson has come in and done really well on the right, but it's difficult when a manager buys a player as you know you're going to be down the pecking order because the manager didn't buy me," said the former Newcastle star.

"So that makes a big difference and I knew then I wouldn't be as involved as far as starting matches, but it's one of those things. There's no hard feelings but I realised that my future would be lying elsewhere next season.

"I've been fairly pleased with my performances when I've started games.

"When you're coming on as a sub you don't have the same chance because you come into a game for the last 20 minutes and you're expected to pick up the pace of the game straight away.

"There's not an awful lot I can do about it. I always knew that when everyone was fit again I would be back to square one."

Gillespie now hopes to resurrect his career elsewhere and he has set his heart on staying in the Premiership.

A number of clubs, including Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Birmingham, have already been linked with a move.

And the former Newcastle and Manchester United star is confident he can get himself fixed up this summer.

One of his last acts as a Blackburn player was to play a leading role in the downfall of Arsenal at Ewood in March and the winger hopes that performance helped to put him in the shop window.

"That game came at the right time for me because, with me being out of contract, it put me in the shop window," said Gillespie.

"My agent has spoken to a few clubs but there's nothing concrete yet. I can't say which clubs but the interest has been very positive.

"I'm hopeful I can stay in the Premiership.

"It's where I've played for most of my career and I feeI I can still perform at this level.

"I'm still only 28 and I'm available on a free transfer so that might appeal to clubs with money being so tight at the moment so it's a case of wait and see."