Sondre Tronstad paid tribute to John Eustace after Blackburn Rovers secured their safety in the Championship.

The midfielder was an almost ever-present in the Rovers midfield. He has, undoubtedly, been the best success story from the club's summer recruitment.

The 28-year-old has been a much-needed experience head for a young squad and played an important role in getting Rovers over the line.

Reflecting on the battle to stay up and his debut season at Ewood Park, Tronstad heaped praise on Eustace and his coaching team.

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"It's been a crazy season, as we've said before. Now we are over the line, we have to give a huge thanks to the gaffer," he said.

"He has been brilliant. Also Gards (Matt Gardener) and all the staff. I think we've had five clean sheet in the last nine.

"He told us (in the huddle) he was proud of our efforts and we have been brilliant. We've had some bad results, the Bristol City game was not what are used to. Apart from that game, we have been quite solid. 

"We haven't won as many as we wanted to but we were much more solid. We conceded fewer goals. He's been really important.

"We were up and down before he came in, we had to be more solid to get more points and win games. That's what he's brought in.

"The enthusiasm from him and the staff has been brilliant, we have loved working with them. 

"We showed in the games where we have conceded, we have been a unit and played like a team. Starting at the back to the top. 

"It's been difficult at times. When we've lost, we have bounced back and we showed that again here.

"I've played a lot of games, I'm ready for a break. I went for a run in the box to try and score my first league goal and got cramp! You should feel tired at the end of the season."

Staying in the Championship was imperative for Rovers as a club and the scenes with the 2,000-strong away end were joyous.

Safety was secured when Sam Szmodics rounded Mads Hermansen for their second, which secured the points on final day. 

Tronstad opened up on the relief he felt at the full-time whistle and how much staying up has meant to the group.

"It feels great and finally we can relax and celebrate. It's been a tough season, as everyone knows.

"It's so important for everyone, the fans, we wanted to stay in the league.

"To be able to celebrate with the fans after the game was a great feeling. Especially when the second one went in, everyone knew we were safe.

"Once Sammie was around the goalkeeper, I was on my way to the fans before it was in the net. It was brilliant.

"If he'd have missed that one, there'd have been something wrong! He's been amazing, 27 goals, wow. It was a great day for all the travelling fans, so many coming over.

"To come here and beat the Champions was amazing. It's normal to have some nerves but we'd had a good week, a good atmosphere.

"We knew what we had to do. We showed it at Leeds and we know we can win away at big teams. We were clever, even without the ball much.

"I think it's always important to focus on yourself in a game like this, we knew the situation we were in. As long as we did our job, we'd be fine.

"We have shown we can beat the good teams but we need consistency. That's what we have lacked this season. We will to make sure we have a better season.

"We created chances and I think we deserved to win the game."