Speaking at last night's Star and Green 'Un Awards dinners - in which injured midfielder Brian Stock was voted club Player of the Year - Ryan said survival in football's second flight had been a "mission accomplished".
He commented: "I said at the start of the season I would be happy to come fourth from bottom, and to finish mid-table is a great achievement particularly as we were rock bottom of Boxing Day.
"We were thinking, if we could carry on like this we will make the Play-offs!
"If we hadn't have had one or two injuries we might have made the Play-offs. But I honestly think next season we can operate in the top half of the table rather than the bottom half."
Ryan said Rovers had won "11 games out of 13" after the festive period.
"If you take our form from Christmas to the end of the season we'd actually be second in the league. So it just gives you an idea what this team can accomplish".
Premier League is a realistic aspiration, he said.
"We're happy to get the £50 million just as much as anyone else", adding he was "incredibly proud" of Sean O'Driscoll and the players.
"They have done an incredible job against all odds really.
"We are one of the smallest clubs in the Championship; but we don't play like it.
"The thing is not only have we achieved success but we have done it by playing good football."
Ryan also said he hoped Sheffield United achieve promotion to the Premier League.
"Apart from the fact I enjoy my visits to Bramall Lane- particularly this season when we won
FULL article appears here http://www.thestar.co.uk/rovers/Ryan-salutes-the-fightback-.5211601.jp
He commented: "I said at the start of the season I would be happy to come fourth from bottom, and to finish mid-table is a great achievement particularly as we were rock bottom of Boxing Day.
"We were thinking, if we could carry on like this we will make the Play-offs!
"If we hadn't have had one or two injuries we might have made the Play-offs. But I honestly think next season we can operate in the top half of the table rather than the bottom half."
Ryan said Rovers had won "11 games out of 13" after the festive period.
"If you take our form from Christmas to the end of the season we'd actually be second in the league. So it just gives you an idea what this team can accomplish".
Premier League is a realistic aspiration, he said.
"We're happy to get the £50 million just as much as anyone else", adding he was "incredibly proud" of Sean O'Driscoll and the players.
"They have done an incredible job against all odds really.
"We are one of the smallest clubs in the Championship; but we don't play like it.
"The thing is not only have we achieved success but we have done it by playing good football."
Ryan also said he hoped Sheffield United achieve promotion to the Premier League.
"Apart from the fact I enjoy my visits to Bramall Lane- particularly this season when we won
FULL article appears here http://www.thestar.co.uk/rovers/Ryan-salutes-the-fightback-.5211601.jp