ROVERS boss Graeme Souness believes the presence of Sky's TV cameras will inspire his side to derby success against arch-rivals Burnley.
Tomorrow's high noon clash with the Clarets at Ewood is the first of four Rovers games set to be screened live by the satellite channel between now and May.
But, far from being camera shy, Souness insists his squad are relishing the prospect of coming under the media microscope as their First Division promotion campaign comes to the boil over the next 11 games.
"I think I've got some big-time players who enjoy the spotlight and we'll see if I'm correct between now and the end of the season because we're going to be under the spotlight during the run-in," said Souness.
"I think I've got players who enjoy being on television, who enjoy the national newspapers writing about them, and who enjoy all the media interest.
"And that will stand them in good stead over the coming weeks because we've got some big games coming up."
Souness has played for and managed some of the biggest clubs in the world during a hugely successful career.
But rarely has the Scot felt more contented than during his first season in charge of Rovers.
However, the Ewood chief is all too aware that the last 12 months will count for nothing unless his squad can achieve promotion.
And he knows that Burnley boss Stan Ternent is desperate to throw his own spanner in the works by inflicting a damaging defeat.
"I've heard some of the nice things Stan has said about us but we're not fooled by all that," said Souness.
"We understand Burnley will not want us to get promoted to the Premier League.
"They'll want to put a dent in our ambitions but that's part of football, that's local rivalry, and it's healthy in my opinion.
"I know our fans won't agree with me, but I personally think it would be wonderful if we were both in the Premier League next year because, if you've got that local rivalry, it's great for the area. "It would certainly increase the gates and the interest like this game has tomorrow."
Aside from the issue of local pride, Souness is desperate for three points to turn up the heat on Bolton in second spot.
But, if he was to steer Rovers back into the Premiership's promised land come May, then it would rank as one of his most satisfying achievements ever.
"The real ambition for me is to be back competing in the Premier League against the top managers in the country," said Souness.
"And that has to be exactly the same for the players, too.
"This has been a good job for other managers to have in the past because it's about a football club who wants to do well on the pitch.
"It's not about share-prices, it's not about developing a stadium in order to float on the stock market.
"It's about a club who wants to do well for the people in the town.
"And that's why the job has been so attractive to managers in the past and remains attractive to me now.
"But, as I've said before, it's not important what you've done before, it's what we do in the future.
"And a win tomorrow would set us up nicely for Wednesday's game with Sheffield United."
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