Twenty year old talks two year extension to official website.
Luke McCullough explained that his decision to extend his Doncaster Rovers until the summer of 2017 was something of a no-brainer.The Northern Ireland international defender put pen to paper on a longer term contract on the same day as his defensive partner, Andy Butler, and said that the League One play-offs are a realistic aim.
“As a group, we know and think we’re good enough to be up there. The performance against Bristol City, who are top of the league, proved that,” he said.
“The back five has been together for a while in the last few games and we’re always getting better. I wouldn’t say it had too much of a bearing on what I was doing but it’s good to keep the group close.
“Playing regularly helps my chances of reaching the international squad and being around it and only being young so it’s good for me and helps me improve.”
The 20 year old signed eighteen months ago from Manchester United and McCullough’s maturity hasn’t gone unnoticed by Paul Dickov.
“The gaffer approached me a few weeks ago about the possibility of extending my stay here and we agreed to get the Christmas fixtures out of the way first and then I’d be more than happy to put pen to paper,” he said.
“Once that’s happened, it was an easy decision to make. It wasn’t difficult to sort out, it’s done and we’ll look forward to the rest of the season.
“I was delighted, I’m happy here, playing games and learning all the time. It’s a good group of lads and there wasn’t too much thought needed.”
Rovers drew 1-1 with Bristol City at the weekend in the third round of the FA Cup – thanks to McCullough’s first professional goal – and the sides will replay the tie at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night for the right to face either West Ham United or Everton in the following round; something McCullough is unafraid of.
“It’s a good draw for us, as would any Premier League side, but Bristol will be hard. If we beat them though, the reward is there, however,” he said.
“I’d love to score more; it’s a great feeling, although I know my job is down the other end trying to keep clean sheets.”