'We bossed the game'

Not for the first time this season he was left to bemoan his side's concession of a late goal that cost them a share of the spoils but he knows it is very much game on ahead of the second leg at Ewood Park on November 14.

"I am disappointed that we lost but very pleased with the way we played," he admitted.

"In football you don't always get what you deserve. We came to Parkhead and bossed the game for the large part.

"We had the best chances but I would have settled for that score before the game because we are a goalscoring team, we get at teams at Ewood and we create chances.

"Two of our most lethal players in the last third were not fit tonight but Andy Cole and Damien Duff will be a yard quicker for the second leg.

"I want us to play as we did tonight but take our chances. Nothing has been decided but I never thought it would be."

It was no great surprise that the home side's winner came from a corner, Henrik Larsson bundling the ball home after slack marking allowed sub John Hartson a free header.

"Tiny Taylor went asleep but that can happen," admitted Souness. "We have got a very young defence but they will learn."

The former Rangers boss had expected a hot reception on his return to Glasgow but he confessed: "I'm a bit disappointed, I thought it would be more hostile but I think that is a measure of how well we played.

"My team had a great time out there tonight, they did well for me but most importantly they did well for themselves.

"There won't be many teams in the whole of Europe that would come here and do as well as we did.

"Our young players have not experienced that before and they handled it really well.

"Remember I've played here in a couple of very good Rangers teams here but we kept them quiet and controlled the game.

"Celtic will feel they can do better but we can be better, we can be more clinical.

"They played exactly the way we thought they would, and we only came under pressure at set pieces, they have some big lumps in there."

Larsson was the predictable match winner and Souness admitted: "I could have told you years ago that he is a top, top player.

"It is disappointing because we never showed any nerves and to give a goal away like that is disappointing because we have done very well defensively.

"But it is all about concentrating for 92, 93 minutes, however long it is."

Concentration will be key in a fortnight as one goal for Celtic would leave Blackburn needing three to win it.

If they can find the cutting edge to go with the standard of the rest of their play last night, that would not be beyond them.

Picture special of the Rovers v Celtic clash... click here.