ROY Hodgson is likely to face stiff competition if he attempts to bring any of his current Inter Milan stars to Ewood when he takes charge of Blackburn Rovers this summer, writes PETER WHITE.

Defenders Alessandro Pistone and Massimo Paganin are reckoned to be two possible targets for Hodgson when he makes the break from Serie A next month.

But sources close to Ibrox today confirmed that the Italian duo were also interesting Glasgow Rangers.

In fact, Rangers boss Walter Smith was at the San Siro last night to see the UEFA Cup final second leg when Inter defeated Schalke 1-0 but lost to the German club on penalties to dash Hodgson's dream of leaving Milan with a trophy to show for his season's efforts.

Rangers are desperate to sign at least one top-class defender with Richard Gough having ended his Ibrox career.

They have also shown interest in Ewood's Colin Hendry but, having received no encouragement, look to be turning their attentions elsewhere.

Our sources said: "They are definitely interested in the Italians."

Rovers will be happy if Rangers turn their attentions away from Hendry but, if they aim to move in for some of the San Siro stars themselves, they will not welcome competition - especially from clubs able to offer the lure of European football next season.

Although that influence would not seem likely to count for anything if the new Ewood boss fancied bringing Argentine midfielder Javier Zanetti with him to England.

The player and manager were involved in an extraordinary bust-up last night when Zanetti didn't reacted to being substituted.

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