FORMER Blackburn Rovers boss Don Mackay is backing Stan Ternent to get the best out of fiery striker Ian Wright.

The 36-year-old striker has earned himself a reputation as one of football's more tempramental characters after a series of controversial incidents throughout his career.

But Mackay, who knows Wright from his days as a scout with Arsenal, is adamant Ternent can harness that passion and turn him into a smash hit at Turf Moor.

"I know Ian has a bit of reputation for that but it's up to the manager to sort that out," said Mackay.

"And I'm sure Stan Ternent is more than capable of handling it.

"I think the media have made too much of that side of him in the past anyway.

"When I worked with Arsenal I saw a lot of him and he had a fantastic influence in the dressing room.

"He's a bubbly character and he's got a very positive manner to the game as a whole."

Mackay has applauded the capture of a player who became a goalscoring legend following his exploits at Highbury.

And the Scot believes Wright's arrival will have a similar impact on the Clarets as the signing of Barcelona striker Steve Archibald had on Rovers in the late 80s.

"His arrival will certainly give the public a massive lift as they prepare for the promotion run in.

"When we brought Steve in just after Christmas the impact it had was amazing.

"Before that, we'd been averaging about six or seven thousand but when he made his debut against Bradford on Boxing Day over 14,000 turned up. "It really captured the fans' imagination and I think the signing of Ian will have the same effect.

"As players they are fairly different - Ian's more of an out-and-out striker than Steve was.

"But they have similar backgrounds.

"Steve was a great lad.

"He was very professional, he came from a big club like Celtic and he was a Scottish international.

"And Ian has a similar pedigree."

Mackay insists, however, that it's now down to the rest of the Burnley players to decide whether or not Wright will be a success in claret and blue.

"It's fantastic coup for everyone connected with the club but it's up to the players now to respond to his signing in a positive manner.

"Ian's an effervescent character and he's great to have around the place.

"People will learn a lot off him.

"But it all depends on whether or not the other players become jealous of him.

"It can also be frustrating for players who have played at a higher level to drop down into the lower leagues because they are used to quality service. "So it's up to Burnley to play to his strengths and get the ball in the box."

And in a rare departure from the fierce rivalry between Rovers and Burnley, Mackay believes Wright's arrival could be great for East Lancashire as a whole.

"I think it would be great for the area to have two clubs in the same division next season now Rovers appear to have missed the chance of going up," said Mackay.

"I don't think the authorities would necessarily see it that way from a safety point of view but it would certainly generate interest.

"The signing of Ian could certainly help to make that happen.

"From the club's point of view, it's a very positive step, and it shows their intent to get promotion.

"Now the Burnley public have got to respond to that."

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