Ewood Beat

Dino packs his Baggio

ITALIAN midfielder Dino Baggio will bring the veil down on his brief Blackburn career when he finally completes a move back to his homeland this weekend.

The former Juventus star has agreed 'in principle' to join Serie A strugglers Ancona, who recently raided Rovers for £6.75 million flop Ciccio Grabbi.

Baggio had initially rejected an offer to join the Italians after the two clubs had set-up a deal last week.

However, the 32-year-old has since had a change of heart after realising that his opportunities will be strictly limited at Ewood between now and the end of the season.

The vastly experienced Italian international has failed to command a regular place in Graeme Souness's starting line-up since he joined the club on a season-long loan from Lazio in August.

Despite Rovers' crippling injury list, he was still overlooked last weekend against Bolton when Souness decided to place his faith in Jonathan Douglas instead, even though the reserve team regular had not played a competitive match in four weeks.

That prompted Baggio into a re-think about his future and a parting of the ways now seems inevitable with Souness admitting that Rovers never saw the best of him.

"I think to be fair to him you have to look at the whole picture," said the Rovers boss.

"When he arrived, he hadn't done a whole pre-season.

"The intention from our part was to get him involved in the UEFA Cup and the League Cup with the aim of getting him fit going down that road.

"He wasn't getting fit playing reserve games. That wasn't challenging enough for him.

"This is a guy who has played in three World Cups, he's also played 60 times for Italy, and he was a world class player.

"But he's lost confidence, he wasn't fit and, because of a combination of that, it hasn't happened for him here."

Baggio's departure should strengthen Souness's hand in the transfer market.

Although Rovers won't receive a transfer fee off Ancona, they will make a saving on wages which may allow the club to bring another player in on loan or a Bosman free.

Souness would ideally like to sign a midfielder as well as a striker during the January window.

Norwegian international Martin Andresen spent several days on trial at Brockhall earlier this week but the 26-year-old has now gone home.

Souness has still not ruled out a swoop for the Stabaek midfielder but it now looks like he will switch his attention elsewhere and I can reveal that he has two alternative targets in mind -- one is an English player and the other is a foreigner.

Renton is Scot target

Blackburn Rovers' Academy keeper Kieron Renton could be heading back to Scotland.

The 19-year-old is a target for Dunfermline and the teenager hopes he has done enough to convince manager Jimmy Calderwood to offer him a contract with the Pars.

The former St Johnstone and Hibs trialist, who was born in Edinburgh, has just completed a short trial with the Scottish club.

And now he's keeping his fingers crossed that a permanent deal could be in the offing after being told by that Rovers will release him at the end of the season.

Renton said: "I am so grateful to Jimmy Calderwood and all the staff at East End Park for giving me the opportunity to come on trial.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I feel I did myself justice. I hope something can now be agreed between Blackburn and Dunfermline."

Renton was offered contracts by St Johnstone and Hibs as a youngster but the Scottish Under-19 keeper opted to try his luck in England instead.

"I was wanted by quite a few clubs at the time but I decided on Blackburn and I have never regreted that decision," said Renton.

"Graeme Souness has taught me well and I have learned a great deal from the likes of Brad Friedel, who is always willing to offer me his good advice."

Gally gets Vogts of confidence

SCOTLAND manager Berti Vogts is to hand a debut to Blackburn's teenage striker Paul Gallagher.

The Rovers youngster, who is 19, has impressed the German with his Premiership performances this season.

Gallagher has only a handful of under-21 appearances to his name but Vogts wants to fast-track him into the senior side.

He said: "I think Paul Gallagher at Blackburn is one who should be coming through.

"I will pick him for a friendly soon. I went to see him at Blackburn recently and spoke to Graeme Souness and Barry Ferguson.

"He is a young guy but a good striker. He is very quick, strong and with good body movement. He has a real chance."

Gallagher has been called up for a Scotland 'future' squad in the past but he has never played for the senior side.

He could make his debut in next month's friendly with Wales in Cardiff or he might get the nod for the Scots' game with Denmark in April.

If he does get the call, it will be a dream come true for the teenager, who was born in Glasgow but raised in the Highercroft area of Blackburn.

It would also represent another major feather in the cap of the club's Academy.

Meanwhile, Gallagher was rated as 50/50 for today's clash with Manchester City.

Graeme Souness's young prodigy has been struggling with a back injury all week and he was set to undergo a fitness test before kick-off.

Short is still a Sea Dog at heart

BLACKBURN Rovers' FA Cup dreams might be over for another season but that didn't stop one of Graeme Souness's players from endulging in a spot of Cup magic earlier this week.

Former Scarborough defender Craig Short was at the McCain Stadium on Wednesday night to watch his old club beat Southend and set-up a dream tie with Chelsea in the fourth round.

Short started his career with the Sea Dogs and remains a popular figure at the club.

McBride at. . .Preston, London?

AMERICAN news agency CNN filed a report on Blackburn Rovers' interest in Brian McBride earlier this week but the reporter's sense of geography certainly left a lot to be desired.

In the story, it referred to McBride enjoying a successful spell in London with...Preston North End!

Ex-Rovers boss gets the chop

FORMER Blackburn manager Roy Hodgson has been sacked by the United Arab Emirates.

Hodgson became the coach of the UAE national side following a spell in Denmark with Copenhagen but things clearly haven't worked out as planned in the Middle East for the former Rovers chief.

Standing room only for Fowler and co

I HAD to laugh this week when I read about Manchester City leaving five of their players behind following Wednesday night's FA Cup win at Leicester.

Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler, Joey Barton, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Trevor Sinclair were all left at the Walkers Stadium following the 3-1 win.

The quintet had visited the players' bar after the game but no-one told them the bus was about to leave and manager Kevin Keegan was forced to drive his own car back to the ground to pick them up.

Now City have promised to review their transport policy for future away matches!