DARRAGH Lenihan says he would be keen to discuss a new contract at Rovers as he enters the final 12 months of his current deal.

The homegrown defender is expected to be one of the players that Rovers are looking to tie down following their promotion back to the Championship.

Lenihan was courted by Sheffield United last summer, but Rovers resisted their advances as they see the Irishman as a key part of their plans moving forward.

That will likely see the offer of a new deal in the coming weeks, something Lenihan would entertain.

He said: “It’s not up to me, that’s the gaffer’s decision. I’m just a player at the end of the day,” said Lenihan who has made 88 appearances in all for the club.

“There’s an awful lot of people above me and that’s for them to decide.

“But I would obviously be very grateful to get a contract. We’ll have to just wait and see.”

The 24-year-old ended an injury-hit season on a high, scoring his first Rovers goal in the final day win over Oxford United.

He followed that up with a second call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of their upcoming friendlies with France on May 28 and USA on June 2.

Lenihan, along with Derrick Williams, were included in an Ireland side which faced Celtic on Sunday as part of a testimonial for Hoops midfielder Scott Brown.

The Rovers duo started the game, as did captain Charlie Mulgrew, who played as part of a Celtic XI in front of a sold-out Celtic Park crowd.

Speaking of the experience, Lenihan wrote on social media: “What a great game to be involved in. The atmosphere was unbelievable. It’s always an honour to wear the Irish jersey.”

Williams, meanwhile, added: “What an experience that was, A day I will never forget. Getting to play for my country in front of a full crowd at Celtic Park, things you dream of as a kid. Goosebumps before the game listening to you’ll never walk alone. Gonna keep working hard to try get more opportunities.”

The duo will now look to earn their first senior caps when Martin O’Neill’s men face the World Cup favourites in Paris later this month.

They are two of four Rovers players to have been called up for their countries ahead of the May and June friendlies.

Defender Mulgrew is set to feature for Scotland against Peru and Mexico respectively, while Corry Evans is in the Northern Ireland squad for their games with Panama and Costa Rica.