BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness will come face to face with one of his closest confidants in football when Manchester United visit Ewood Park tomorrow.

Walter Smith, the current number two to Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, performed a similar role for Souness at Rangers when the Rovers chief was first cutting his teeth in management.

And Souness says he will always be indebted to his great friend and mentor for making him the manager he is today.

"It's great to know that you've got someone covering your back all the time in this business," said Souness.

"When Walter was with me at Rangers his experience was invaluable.

"I was a bit of a hot-head and he was the calming influence alongside me as I found my way in management.

"I'll be forever grateful to him for the help and advice he gave me during the early days of my managerial career."

Smith was out of work when Fergie called out of the blue inviting him to join the coaching staff at United until the end of the season.

It was an opportunity the amiable Scot simply couldn't turn down and Souness is delighted to see his old pal back doing what he does best.

"It's good to see my old friend back in the game," said the Rovers boss.

"He's a reliable right-hand man and I'm sure he's proved to be invaluable to Fergie in the short time he's been there.

"He's very knowledgeable about the game and he's the type of person you can trust 100 per cent."