DARRAGH Lenihan’s old-school qualities make him an excellent stand-in centre-half, according to Rovers manager Owen Coyle.

The Irishman has always been seen as a midfielder at Ewood Park, although he has the ability to help out in the back four.

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But when his team has needed him in the last three games, after a series of injuries left Coyle with just one specialist centre-half in on-loan Tommie Hoban, Lenihan has stepped in and done an excellent job.

His manager insists it is the 22-year-old’s no-nonsense approach to defending, which reminds him of some of the tough-as-teak defenders he faced in his own playing days, that is most impressive.

When asked about the versatile youngster, the Rovers boss said: “Darragh’s obviously played as a midfielder, but he came on at half-time as centre-back against Ipswich and was outstanding.

“If you remember, in the Leeds United EFL Cup tie he was also outstanding at centre-back.

“So we know he can play there and I think he’s been terrific.

“There are times when he is composed and he passes and moves, and there are times when he knows that he has to clear his lines very effectively.

“He reminds me of an old-fashioned centre-back, and we still crave the qualities that those boys had. Darragh shows a lot of that.

“I’m delighted for him because when you’re on the periphery and you want to play, when you step in it’s important that you show it and Darragh has done that.

“That’s why at a moment’s notice you’ve got to be ready to go onto that field and step into the team. I’ve always said it will be a fair fight.

“I think he’s been outstanding.”

Republic of Ireland Under-21 captain Lenihan, who joined Rovers in 2011, has made 15 appearances for the club this season - seven as a starter and eight off the bench.

He was on the team sheet for the first three games of the season in central midfield, but fell out of favour and was restricted to a host of late cameos, including replacing centre-half Gordon Greer in the 2-1 EFL Cup third round defeat at Elland Road.

Lenihan did the same at half-time of the 0-0 league draw with Ipswich as the Scotland international had a recurrence of a groin injury he picked up on international duty.

He helped his side secure their first sheet of the season in that match, and played the full 90 minutes of the 2-1 home win over Nottingham Forest.

But it was his performance on Saturday, when he and Hoban kept Bristol City’s eight-goal striker Tammy Abraham shackled, which Coyle thinks was up there with his best.

“The centre-halves were fantastic against Bristol City,” said the manager.

“Darragh and Tommie are both international players and Tommie has already won promotion to the Premier League, so for me there’s nothing to debate about their quality. They’ll go on to both have very, very good careers.

“They were playing against a very special player, a young talent who’s going to have a great career.

“But I thought our two were terrific and long may that continue.”