RAY Harford (pictured) believes his new £3 million man Garry Flitcroft can go all the way and play for England.
Flitcroft completed his move from Manchester City to Blackburn Rovers yesterday, signing on for the next five seasons at Ewood.
And the former England under-21 midfield ace set himself twin peaks to climb.
He wants to win honours and also play for his country at senior level.
The Rovers boss tipped him to do it, saying: "I think Garry can become an England midfield player.
"I first worked with him two-and-a-half years ago with the under-21s and to say I was impressed is to say the least. I thought he had a great future and he's been in our minds since then.
"He played with Jamie Redknapp in the under-21 side and I see no reason why Garry cannot go on to do just the same as him.
"I have bought Garry because I like the way he plays. He isn't THE complete midfield player yet but he is a complete midfield player.
"The modern game is about players getting their quota of goals from midfield. He is capable of scoring goals as well as defending."
Flitcroft said: "I am only young and I want to achieve a lot of things. I want to win something and to play for England.
"I think coming to Blackburn will help me do that. I see players I was with in the under-21 side who have gone on to other things.
"But now I have got a chance. There's a big squad here and a lot of good players but I am ready for the first battle which will be to get a place in the team."
Flitcroft has long had a reputation as an attacking midfielder but he has had to play more of a holding role at City this season, resulting in him scoring just one goal.
"I have to look at scoring more goals. I set myself a target of double figures at the start of the season but I haven't got anywhere near that," he said.
"But I have been restricted more at City this season. They bought Georgi Kinkladze and I was mainly the one who had to sit back. When Blackburn came in for me I was shocked at first but when it had sunk in I realised what a great move it was for me."
TEENAGE goalkeeper Shay Given has a golden future in his talented hands, according to Sunderland boss Peter Reid.
And that future will be with Blackburn Rovers, despite reports that Reid is about to launch a seven-figure bid for the 19-year-old starlet.
For starters, Sunderland have no ready cash. Even more important, he is so highly-rated at Ewood that manager Ray Harford states quite categorically - "He's not going anywhere."
Given is currently doing a fine job of justifying the praise by doing everything in his power to grab a championship medal this season.
He has just started the third and final month of his loan to First Division Sunderland, and has been red-hot at Roker with a staggering 10 clean sheets from 13 appearances.
That's already enough games to guarantee him a title medal if promotion-favourites Sunderland can finish top of the heap.
But Reid and the player have both accepted that once the loan period is over, Given will be on his way back to Ewood.
Rovers long since slapped a "Not for Sale" tag on the Republic of Ireland under-21 star they snapped up for free from Celtic.
He has a bright future in Blackburn and, with the experience he has gained and expertise he has shown for Sunderland, the keeper will soon be challenging for a place in the senior squad at Ewood.
The way things have been going for him, it might not be too long before his name appears there.
First, however, he is aiming for a special souvenir of his promotion-fighting days on Wearside.
"I was with the Premiership champions last season and, although I didn't play, I was involved," he said.
"To help win the First Division championship this season would be some double, wouldn't it.
"It's in our own hands to win the title and the way we are playing we can do it.
"I would love to go back to Blackburn with a championship medal. It would be a lovely souvenir."
If Sunderland do clinch the championship, Given will have played a huge part.
Reid knows that, as he acknowledged: "He's the best young keeper I have ever seen. The lad has got a great chance."
Swindon player-manager Steve McMahon recommended Given to Reid after the Irish youngster kept four clean sheets in five matches during a loan spell at the County Ground earlier in the season.
The only problem for Reid now is that he will lose the keeper for the last three games of the season when the loan expires.
"Everyone's just hoping that promotion has already been clinched by then," said one regular Press observer at Roker.
"The young keeper has been fantastic. We can't understand why stories keep appearing about Sunderland buying him. They haven't got a bean and Blackburn have made it quite clear he's not for sale anyway."
Reid will have cash to spend if Sunderland claim a Premiership spot.
But more likely than Given playing for them in the top flight next season is that he will be challenging for a place in the Rovers squad to face them.
Junior Rovers football training has been cancelled next Monday night, because of the reserve game being staged at Ewood.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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