Blackburn Rovers: Dilan Markanday is hungry for more

The winger has been named in Jon Dahl Tomasson’s starting line-up for the Championship fixtures against West Brom and Rotherham, getting on the scoresheet against the Baggies.

He also came off the bench during the final stages of the 4-3 victory against Walsall in the Carabao Cup as Rovers progressed to the second round.

When asked about his start to the season, Markanday told RoversTV: “Really positive. I feel in a good place physically off the back of a decent pre-season.

“I am in a much better place than I was last season. I am glad I can try to help the team and we have got off to a decent start.”

The former Tottenham youngster provided a composed finish after latching onto Lewis Travis’ pass as Tomasson’s side ran out 2-1 winners against the Baggies.

It was the first of a quickfire double, with Harry Leonard also finding a way past Alex Palmer moments later.

“It meant a lot,” Markanday continued. “It was a big moment in my career, it felt like a turning point off the back of the last year-and-a-half.

“I feel like after last season a lot of people – not wrote me off – but didn’t expect for that to happen.

“I have always had that belief in myself and it was a really good moment. I am happy my family were there to see it and to top it off with a goal was even better.”

“I was nervous before the game. I am always a little bit nervous but it is more excitement. I get that feeling in my stomach, but it motivates and excites me.

“Getting the goal gave me that confidence I needed and hopefully I can keep pushing on and try to help the team.”

Markanday on target against West Brom on the opening day (Image: Phill Heywood)

It was the winger’s first league goal for Rovers, having also scored a couple of times in the Carabao Cup last term.

“I am a visualiser,” he explained. I think about different moments in my head and putting the ball away.

“When it came, I felt like I had seen it in my head a few times and it was almost natural instinct.

“All the practice on the training pitch goes into moments like that. When the opportunity came, it was in my head and I am glad it went into the back of the net.

“I back myself with my right foot. I feel like I am a winger who can go both ways and I trust my right foot as well as my left. It was a decent finish and there was a great atmosphere in the stadium.

“Trav’s pass was a little bit outside of me but I felt like I got my body shape in a good position. As soon as it left my foot, I felt like it was going goal-bound. I didn’t look up until it went in.

“Even if it was slightly wide, I think Szmods (Sam Szmodics) was there to tap it in. I am just glad it went in.”

The 21-year-old had a tough start to life at Rovers and spent time on loan at Aberdeen during the second half of last season. He says his setbacks made the goal against West Brom even sweeter.

“You can see how close the group are and I feel like, for me, it was that bit sweeter when it went in,” he said.

“I had a tough start at the club – more downs that ups – so when they saw it go in, I think they were all over the moon for me.

“Those moments make the last year-and-a-half even sweeter. That is what you want in life – when there are lots of downs, those ups become even better because you have gone through a hard journey.

“I didn’t feel sorry for myself, I hope it is the best thing that has happened for me and I can keep pushing on.”

Markanday has started both of Rovers' league games this season (Image: Phill Heywood)

Markanday is now determined to kick on and keep contributing in the final third as Rovers aim to build on last season’s seventh-place finish in the Championship.

“I have started two more games than last season so it is already a positive. I just have to make sure I am keeping in the mix in things and keep going,” he stated.

“Hopefully, the gaffer keeps trusting me and all I want to do is win games with the club. I think there is plenty more (to come).

“I have got so much more to give on the pitch, I had a really good pre-season. The last few games have been tough, getting used to Championship football.

“I know I can give even more on the pitch and I am excited for that. I feel like I can be a good player in this league.

“I am learning. I might not be perfect for a while but at the end of the day, I will keep improving.

“That is what it is all about – improving on the training pitch and in games. I am sure the fans will see a lot more to come and I am excited.”

Markanday played just under an hour at Rotherham last weekend before making way as part of a triple change.

“We showed good character,” he said. “It is a tough place to go and last season, it wasn’t our best day there.

“It was an important point and a lot of teams will struggle there. We are back on home soil at the weekend and hopefully we can get the three points.

“I have heard the gaffer talk about our stadium being a fortress. We want to make it difficult for teams to visit.

The youngster hopes Rovers can continue to thrive on the atmosphere at Ewood Park and insists the supporters played a key role in the past couple of matches.

“When those two goals went in in quick succession, it felt like there were 40,000 fans in the stadium,” he smiled.

“It was really good and the fans were all behind us. When they scored, we needed them even more and they were there. I am glad we got through that and got the three points.

“There has always been that connection. A lot of the young boys coming through, it has really helped them.”