Doncaster Rovers: It was the right decision to drop me - Ian Lawlor

The Irish goalkeeper played just twice in Rovers’ final 13 matches of the season – with Marko Marosi playing the rest - despite holding down a starting shirt for much of the season.

Though disappointed to be out of the side, the 23-year-old admits he understood Ferguson’s reasoning.

“I agreed with him,” Lawlor told The Star.

“He is the manager. He makes the decisions.

“I went through a little sticky patch where I wasn’t performing as well as I should have been.

“I respect his decision.

“Looking back at it, after the two games that I did play, it was the right decision.

“I’ve had a look back at my performances and seen what I could change to help the boys when I’m out there and help myself.

“You need that time to reflect sometimes.

“I’ve gone through where I was going wrong in goal so I think it was the right decision for me to come out.”

Despite his recent lack of game time, Lawlor was still called up into a bumper training squad by Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill earlier this month.

On his return to Rovers he is likely now to face a strong battle with Marosi for the starting slot next season after the Slovakian was again selected for the final game of the campaign.