Matthew Gill grabbed a rare opportunity to impress as League One champions Norwich City wrapped up their away programme with another victory - but the midfielder was not complaining about his lack of involvement in his side's title success.

Matthew Gill grabbed a rare opportunity to impress as League One champions Norwich City wrapped up their away programme with another victory - but the midfielder was not complaining about his lack of involvement in his side's title success.

Norfolk-born Gill started a league match for only the second time since Paul Lambert's arrival as boss last August, putting in a polished display in the 3-0 win at Bristol Rovers.

But while he has been confined to the bench for much of the Canaries' march back to the Championship, the former Exeter man said the form of his team-mates explained his very limited match action.

“This season wasn't about how many games I've played, it was about the team getting back to where they belong,” said Gill, the first summer signing of 2009.

“It's definitely hard on a personal note, but the lads have probably made it as easy as it can be for me because they've been so good.

“If I was sat there in a struggling team it would probably have been a lot harder to take, but the lads have been on an unbelievable run, so you just have to train as hard as you can every week and push them as hard as you can and the manager makes the decisions.

“It's been a pleasure to be involved in a team and a squad like that - to go on an unbelievable run since August and deservedly become champions, so it's been good to be a part of it.”

The 29-year-old Gill was recalled as one of three changes by Lambert, playing at the back of a midfield diamond, while Darel Russell and Korey Smith were left on the bench.

“The gaffer made one or two changes today and I'm really pleased I got the nod. To play 90 minutes and get the win makes it a massive bonus as well,” said Gill. “The lads did make it easy for me, and passed the ball really well, like they have done all season. The lads have been unbelievable, so it was a pleasure to play with them today. I do enjoy that position, I managed to get on the ball quite a bit and it was a good game to play in.”

With the League One title secure, it might have been easy to ease off at the Memorial Stadium, where there was little at stake for Rovers or the Canaries.

But Gill argued: “Not under our manager - he made us well aware there were a lot of fans coming and in no way were we going to take our foot off the pedal, and we didn't. There were a lot of travelling fans, we wanted to put on a show for them - they've been unbelievable all season, same as the home fans.

“The manager made us fully aware that we had a professional job to do and the lads did it.”

Halfway through a two-year deal, Gill has been restricted to 10 senior appearances this season, just six of them under Lambert, but pledged to carry on working hard next season.

He said: “I'll be exactly the same as I am everywhere I've been. I'll work as hard as I can and leave all the decisions to the management. I find that's the best way to be - just work as hard as you can and then take it from there.”

Lambert acknowledge: “It's never easy sitting on that bench and Gilly's a great lad, a great pro, and that's one thing I've said to him. He's found it hard to get in due to Darel Russell's form and Korey Smith's form and Simon Lappin's form, so it's been tough.

“I thought he did excellent. I know the pressure's off and that, but he's not played for a long time.”