Jon Dahl Tomasson praised “talented” Rory Finneran after his first-team debut at the age of 15 against Cambridge.

The Republic of Ireland youth international came off the bench for the last couple of minutes as Rovers booked their place in the FA Cup fourth round, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history.

Tomasson has been impressed with what he has seen from Finneran on the training pitch but doesn’t want to put too much pressure on him at such a young age.

“First of all, compliments to the Academy,” said the Rovers boss. “They are working with all those youngsters and trying to improve them.

“We have a very good connection with the Academy. Of course, we need to create value over time as well.

“Rory is a talented boy, he can play with his left or right feet and has great vision. We shouldn’t forget he is still very young for this level but I thought it was a good opportunity to give him that experience.

“I have worked a lot with him already. He has been away a bit with the national teams but he has been training with me a lot of days over Christmas and the past few days.

“We have a very good connection with the youth, I know the quality we have in the building in the Under-16s, Under-18s and Under-21s.”

The previous youngest player to represent Rovers was Harry Dennison, who featured against Bristol City in 1911 aged 16 years and 155 days.

Ronnie Clayton, Connor Mahoney and Tom Atcheson are the only other 16-year-olds who have represented Rovers in a competitive fixture – the latter coming off the bench in the 8-0 win against Harrogate in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.

Thomas Campbell played against Preston North End aged 15, but this was a friendly fixture in 1881 prior to the formation of the Football League seven years later.