BLACKBURN defender Lorenzo Amoruso was hailed as hero for helping Rovers to a vital victory in Saturday's six-pointer with Leicester City.

Amoruso was a rock alongside Craig Short in the heart of defence as Rovers won at home in the Premiership for the first time in nearly five months.

Nikos Dabizas's own goal shortly before half-time ultimately settled this relegation battle but Graeme Souness was quick to praise Amoruso for his part in setting up the victory afterwards as he reflected on a priceless 1-0 win.

"If we'd had Lorenzo all season then I don't think we'd be in this situation right now," said Souness.

"He was immense today and he was at Fulham on Monday night, too.

"To be out for five months and then come back and play in the way he has in the last three games, I think is worthy of a special mention."

Amoruso has been heavily criticised for some of his defending in the past.

There was a time at Rangers under Dick Advocaat when he was considered to be unreliable as a defender and some of his early performances for Rovers did little to convince the doubters otherwise.

However, Amoruso maintains he was harshly treated and he insists he has now regained the kind of form which once made him a cult hero at Ibrox.

"I had just one bad season at Rangers, and after that all I heard was that Amoruso gets caught trying to play with the ball too much," said the imposing Italian.

"But what people did not appreciate is that was a very strange year for me in many ways.

"I broke up with my girlfriend, my mother was ill, and I had many problems with the manager, Dick Advocaat.

"I was never very clear in my mind with all these problems going around me, and okay, maybe my football wasn't so good for a while.

"Graeme Souness showed a lot of faith in me, and it was frustrating that my injuries meant I could not do much to repay him.

"Now I am fit again I have the chance to do that, and I am eager to take it."

Amoruso has built a reputation as a ball-playing centre half but he had to show the physical side of his game against Leicester, whose route one approach tested Rovers' back four in what was a tense encounter.

"I showed I can roll my sleeves up and get stuck in like anyone else. That's something you have to do from time to time as a defender," added Amoruso.