Callum Brittain on right-back battle at Blackburn Rovers

Rankin-Costello was in the starting line-up for the 2-1 win against West Brom on the opening day, while Brittain came into the side against Walsall on Tuesday night.

The former Barnsley man hopes they can keep pushing each other on and insists that healthy competition can only be a good thing for the squad.

“We have got a good squad here,” he said. “It is my aim to try to get back into the team but also push Joe as far as he can go because if he is playing well, the team does well and that is what we want.”

Rankin-Costello has also been used higher up the pitch at times and proved during pre-season he can be effective in front of goal.

When asked if both players can fit into the same team, Brittain replied: “We have seen how well he has done when he rotates and moves around the pitch. He operates in different positions.

“It is just the choice of whether the gaffer wants to move him or if he wants him operating from that right-back position.”

Brittain has benefitted from a full pre-season at Rovers, having joined from Barnsley the week before the season started 12 months ago.

The 25-year-old says he feels good physically after a few injury setbacks last term, the worst being partially torn ligaments in his knee.

“It was nice to have a full pre-season here,” Brittain explained. “Obviously, I came last year at the end of it so I didn’t spent much time.

“It was nice to be with everyone, play some games and do a full pre-season with the gaffer as well. It was good.”

He added: “Physically, the demands in training when I first came here were a lot different.

“Maybe that had an impact on my body and I had a few injuries, which was unfortunate. I had the big one with my knee, which was just bad luck.

“It has made a massive difference knowing all the boys, knowing the gaffer and just having that month of playing time in friendlies. It is good to build on for the season.”

Brittain joined Rovers from Barnsley 12 months ago (Image: Camerasport)

The full-back played the full 90 minutes against Walsall in midweek as Rovers ran out 4-3 winners thanks to goals from Zak Gilsenan, Niall Ennis, Jake Garrett and John Buckley.

“Every player is ready,” he continued. “There is a lot of games so everyone has to be prepared. I think everyone is in the right mindset and we are all ready.

“I don’t think it is too difficult (when there are changes). We train together every day so everyone knows each other in the squad.

“A few young lads have been introduced and it is their time to shine. It is just about keeping match fitness and going out there and building confidence.

“I think it is nice to have the cup games and it would be great to have a good run this season. Hopefully, we can do that.”

Brittain was impressed by his young team-mates against the Saddlers and says it is testament to the work being done in the Academy.

“It is very impressive, I have said that from day one,” he stated. “When you have a big squad, young players coming up have to be at that level already and sometimes it is worlds apart.

“But here, it is not the case. They come up and look like they can hold their own straight away.

“It is really impressive and we have seen it on the pitch from last year. Hopefully, there are many more young players to get their chances.”

The 25-year-old is pleased to have kicked off the new season with a couple of wins and hopes the side can keep building momentum in the coming weeks and months.

“You want to get started quickly and that comes off the back of a good pre-season,” Brittain said.

“We had some good games. We wanted to start firing at home, the home games are important.”

He added: “You need a squad throughout the season and the cup games are just as important. I think if you can go on a run, it builds confidence for the league games as well.

“It builds confidence for the players who are involved. We did well in the cups and in the league last year, so they go hand-in-hand.”

Brittain also reckons the togetherness in the dressing room had a big impact last term and is confident that trend can continue despite losing some big characters over the summer.

“We have kept quite a few,” he explained. “We have obviously lost a couple. We have got a tight-knit group and I think it shows on the pitch.”