BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness believes Keith Gillespie can become Ewood's answer to Ryan Giggs after saving himself from football's scrap heap.

This time last year the Northern Ireland international was heading for oblivion after being farmed out to Second Division Wigan on loan.

However, in a remarkable turnaround, Gillespie has since bounced back to become one of the key weapons in Rovers' Premiership arsenal.

And now Souness is adamant his revitalised winger has the confidence to terrorise top-flight defences just like his old Manchester United pal Giggs.

"Apart from Ryan Giggs, I can't think of anyone else in the Premier League who is more direct than Keith," said Souness.

"He has pace to burn when he's running with the ball and no-one causes defences more problems than him on his day.

"But we're barely half way through the season, at the minute, so Keith's challenge now is to keep that going until May."

Thanks to some breathtaking displays over the last six months, Gillespie has subsequently established himself as a regular once again.

And even Souness has been surprised by the speed of the 26-year-old's transformation after he was ready to let him leave on a free a year ago.

"When Keith went out to Wigan last year I think he reached a crossroads in his life," said Souness.

"No-one had ever doubted his ability but he had reached a point in his life where he had a decision to make and, thankfully, since then he's been making the right ones.

"Although he's 26, he's a man with a great deal of experience and he knew what he was doing wrong.

"So it was just a case of getting him back on track and all credit to him for doing that because he's been on fire for us recently and long may that continue."

Rovers will now face Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-finals of the Worthington Cup after the Owls' 4-0 demolition of Watford last night.

Delighted Wednesday boss Terry Yorath said: "Being in the semi-finals hasn't dawned on me yet.

"It is a tremendous boost for the club financially, it will bring a few bob in, and it's great for the supporters because in the last three or four years they have had nothing to shout about."

Meanwhile, Rovers have announced ticket details regarding their Premiership clash at Manchester United next month.

Rovers have been allocated 3000 tickets and they will go on sale, initially to season ticket holders only, from Monday 7th January.

Tickets are limited to one per season ticket book, with a maximum of four tickets per person.

Any remaining tickets will then go on open sale from Monday 14th January.

Prices range from £24.00/£28.00 (adults) to £12.00/£14.00 (senior citizens/juniors).

Tonight's reserve game against Sheffield Wednesday has been postponed.