ROVERS record hitman Simon Garner is reluctant to tip Andy Cole to get the goals to clinch Rovers the Worthington Cup final - as it could be the kiss of death.

"Andy Cole is a big game player but if I tip anyone they usually don't score so I won't do that," laughed the former Ewood great who is now 'working' as a house husband in Berkshire.

"It is hard work! It is one of the hardest things I have done," said Garner who is caring for his six month old son Thomas.

Prolific scorer Garner played in the Full Members' Cup victory in 1987 when the Ewood outfit recorded a 1-0 win over Charlton - Colin Hendry scoring the winner in the last four minutes.

And the striker - who hit 168 League goals and 192 in all competitions at Rovers - knows how the current crop of players will be feeling.

"It doesn't matter which cup competition it is, it is a great day out," said Garner, who was at Ewood Park for 16 years from 1976-1992.

"Rovers boss Graeme Souness will tell the lads just to go out and enjoy the day - and win it! They won't need any geeing up.

"We had a great day, especially as we won. The main thing for the players is just to take it all in.

"It was great going to play at Wembley and Cardiff is the equivalent. It is the place where everyone wants to play. You don't get too many chances in your career."

Garner was involved in a Rovers side who at first were battling against relegation but, thanks to his goals, were continually pipped as they tried to make it out of the old Second Division and into the top flight.

"When I became established at Rovers, I had three ambitions.

"One was to break the League scoring record, the other was to play at Wembley and the third was to play in the Premiership -- two out of three ain't bad!

"But I can't imagine what it is like to lose in a Cup final. You never remember the losers or the runners-up.

"That's why Rovers need to win on Sunday. Losing can be a blow and I would be worried if Rovers do lose that it will have a knock on effect in the league."

Despite Rovers recent dip in form in the Premiership, Garner thinks they can pull of the victory against in-form Tottenham.

"I will be tipping Blackburn to win. I hope they do and I will be there. And I am expecting plenty of goals.

"It is a one-off game and they have just got to forget their league form.

"They haven't been playing too badly but it is just a confidence thing.

"What I think their main problem will be is if they go one goal down.

"I have seen it happen in the league where they have gone one goal behind and their heads have dropped.

"They are only a young set of lads and it is easy to do. But they have got to make sure if that does happen, that they keep going.

He added: "I don't think one Rovers player will star. They have got to play as a team, everyone will have a big effect.

"They have got to keep together and hopefully it will see them through."

Being based in Berkshire, Garner sees Rovers every time they play down south and has seen Spurs a few times as well this season.

"I saw them play each other on New Years Day. Tottenham are playing well at the moment but I think the one weakness at Spurs is their defence.

"If Blackburn get up and at them early on then I think they will rattle them."