Rovers fear old boys

With three games of the season remaining, Rovers still need a point to virtually guarantee their Premiership status for a further 12 months.

And Souness's biggest nightmare would see that fight go to the very last game, when a Birmingham side featuring three former Rovers favourites could still potentially send the club down.

Similar scenarios have unfolded in the past, the most notable example perhaps featuring Manchester United, today's visitors to Ewood Park.

The Reds were battling to avoid relegation from the old First Division in 1974 when a goal from United legend, Denis Law, who was then playing for Manchester City, sent his old club spiralling out of English football's top division.

Now Souness is hoping a similar fate doesn't befall his own team.

Ex-Rovers Damien Johnson, David Dunn and Martin Taylor could all be lining up for Birmingham on the final day of the season.

And Souness is desperate to avoid a nightmare scenario by making sure Rovers' Premiership future is secured well before the reunion.

"We could be going into the last game of the season knowing we have to get something against a Birmingham team containing three of our old boys," said Souness.

"I've got this horrible vision in my head of Denis Law scoring against Manchester United with a back-heel to send them down.

"Football is full of stories like that and it's something which is firmly in the back of my head all the time.

"Three weeks ago when we lost to Leeds at home, I would have taken having to get something against Birmingham on the last day to survive.

"Since then, we've put ourselves in a slightly better position but I still wouldn't like to be in that situation on the last day.

"When you think like that, you think of all the possibilities which could happen on the day.

"Football is riddled with horror stories like that. Remember the goalkeeper saving Carlisle on the last day? And Denis Law scoring against United.

"But right now, our destiny is in our own hands and that's as much as you can ask for.

"We've had a good run in the last few games and we now need more of the same in our last three games."

Rovers could ease Souness's worries by pocketing the point they require against United today.

But even if they lost to the Reds, it would still need a minor miracle from Leeds to take the fight into the final weekend.

Nevertheless, Souness is far too long in the tooth to take anything for granted and he'll only sleep more easily once Rovers are mathematically safe.

"The season's not over and we'd be proper mugs if we thought any differently," added the Rovers boss.

Chance to meet a hero

FANCY meeting one of the heroes of Blackburn Rovers' championship-winning side of 1995?

Well, you can do exactly that when Kevin Gallacher attends a special book signing at WH Smith in Blackburn next week.

Gallacher will be in the store from 3pm on Thursday 6th May to sign copies of the fans' book 'Rovers Now and Then.'

The book is an official Rovers publication with a foreword by Graeme Souness and it's packed with interesting facts and figures about your favourite football team.

If you want to win a copy then we've got two to give away.

All you need to do is answer the following question and then send your entry, complete with name, address and telephone number, to: The Sports Desk, The Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Newspaper House, High Street, Blackburn, BB1 1HT.

The question is: Who was Blackburn Rovers' leading scorer in the Premier League title-winning season of 1995?

The closing date for entries is May 10 and all usual Newsquest rules apply.

Something fishy?

GRAEME Souness enjoyed his scouting mission to Norway earlier this week -- if only for the fish!

The Rovers boss made a flying visit to Oslo to watch several potential transfer targets in action during the international friendly between Norway and Russia.

But he also had time to sample a few of the local delicacies whilst he was there and he gave the fish a big thumbs up.

"Norway, for me, is a fantastic country," said Souness.

"They've got great fish, excellent weather, and there was some good football on display, too."

Does that mean 'Billy the Fish' could be on his way to Ewood this summer?

Tugay to take centre stage

BLACKBURN Rovers' Turkish midfielder, Tugay, has been lined up to give a rare interview to the South Lancs branch of the Rovers Supporters Association.

The group are holding their Player of the Year Presentation Night on Tuesday May 4 from 7.30pm and Tugay has agreed to take centre stage.

The event will be staged at the 'South Lancs' HQ, the Hesketh Arms at Shevington, near Wigan.

Rovervision's own Graham Liver will host the evening, which will feature an interview with the club's veteran midfield star.

Admission is £3 for members and £4 non-members, inclusive of supper, with payment on the night.

Don't forget to cast your vote for goal

TIME is running out to register your vote in the race to decide Blackburn Rovers' best goal of the season.

Eight goals have been shortlisted as possible contenders for the Peter White Memorial Trophy and it's down to you, the fans, to decide which one comes out on top.

Don't forget, if you're top three matches that of Rovers boss, Graeme Souness, then you could also win a Rovers shirt signed by the winning goalscorer and Souness himself.

But if you want a chance to win then you'll have to hurry.

All you need to do is write down the letters which correspond with your choices i.e. 1st Goal A; 2nd Goal B; 3rd Goal C etc.

Then send your selection into the sports desk at the Telegraph on an envelope clearly marked 'Goal of the season'.

Our address is: The sports desk, The Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Newspaper House, High Street, Blackburn, BB1 1HT.

So pick your top three now from the following list.

Goal A: Lorenzo Amoruso v Manchester City Aug 25

Goal B: Matt Jansen v Liverpool Sept 13

Goal C: Barry Ferguson v Liverpool (Carling Cup) Oct 29

Goal D: Tugay v Birmingham Dec 6

Goal E: Paul Gallagher v Chelsea Feb 1

Goal F: Brad Friedel v Charlton Feb 21

Goal G: Jonathan Stead v Aston Villa Mar 20

Goal H: Andy Cole v Fulham Apr 12

True all-rounder

BLACKBURN Rovers' Academy starlet Keith Barker joined a unique band of people when he made his debut for England Under 18s on Thursday night.

For Barker has now represented his country at both football and cricket -- a phenomenal achievement by a genuine sporting all-rounder.

The Accrington-based teenager first won international acclaim as a cricketer when he played for England's Under 15 team.

But he then gave up a promising cricket career to concentrate on his football and that decision has since been rewarded by his call-up to the England Under 18 squad.

Keith came on as a second half substitute but couldn't prevent England from losing 2-0 to Sweden at York City's Bootham Crescent ground.

Dunbar roaming

SOME fans go to extraordinary lengths to support their favourite football but they'd have to go a long way to beat Rovers fanatic Tony Dunbar.

Tony currently resides in Texas but he flew across the Atlantic on Thursday night especially so he could take his place at Ewood for today's game against Manchester United.

Then on Monday, he's set to fly back to the United States again.

It's a trip Tony makes several times a year and he even managed to incorporate a tour of the Academy during his latest mission.

Now that's what I call serious dedication to the cause.

Putting on the style

BLACKBURN Rovers stars, past and present, joined fellow notables and guests for the club's Annual Celebrity Amateur Golf Day, staged at Pleasington Golf Club this week.

Garry Flitcroft, Matt Jansen, Andy Todd, Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton joined members of the board and coaching staff for an enjoyable day's sport.

The players and invited 'celebrities' were divided amongst the teams of four taking part in the four-ball Shotgun competition.

The winning team was United Utilities, with ex-Bolton defender Peter Nicholson the celebrity.

Runners-up were the Shireburn Arms who included former Arsenal and Liverpool goalkeeper Jim Furnell in their line-up.

Northcote Offsite featured ex-Rovers' boss Gordon Lee as they finished third.

Best 'celebrity' was cricketing all-rounder Ian Austin.

Ex-Rovers Mark Atkins and Mark Patterson received awards for finishing first and second in the 'nearest the pin' competition.