Sam Szmodics stepped off the Blackburn Rovers bench to ensure they secured victory in their first game of the season as they beat Derby County 4-2.

Rovers star man was included in the matchday squad despite intense speculation around his future and a move to Ipswich Town still up in the air.

But, in typical Szmodics fashion, he showed his desire to be involved and rewarded John Eustace's faith by securing victory from close range.

Rovers led at half-time after an impressive opening 45 minutes. Tyrhys Dolan smashed in from close range after unselfish work from the eye-catching Makhtar Gueye, who pulled it back for an easy finish.

However, Derby came on strong after the break and deservedly levelled. Curtis Nelson powered home a header at the back post and the momentum was firmly with the away side.

Rovers showed their character though and restored the lead with two of their substitutes scoring. Andi Weimann was first up but all the plaudits are reserved for Hayden Carter, who created the goal with a mazy run, Cruyff turn and inch-perfect cross for an easy header.

Then the headlines were written by Szmodics. Rovers won the ball high up, it was fed to Callum Brittain and his low cross was expertly tucked in by Szmodics. 

Nobody knows if that will be his last goal in blue and white but what's clear is that his professionalism can't be questioned.

Yuki Ohashi rounded off the Rovers scoring on debut with the classiest finish of the night. He was played in and dinked the Derby goal-keeper to round off the victory.

But there was still enough time for one more goal, for Derby. Kaine Wilson netted but it was too little, too late.

Three goals in 12 minutes ensured Eustace's side began the season with three points. The perfect tonic on opening night ahead of a long campaign.

The will-he-won't-he pre-match debate was settled with Szmodics named amongst the substitutes for Rovers. Lewis Travis took the armband in his first Championship start at Ewood Park since November 29.

Gueye made his full Championship debut with Danny Batth, Weimann and Yuki Ohashi waiting in the wings. Otherwise, it was as expected with the same side as that which started at Stockport a week previous.

The stage was set as the curtains were lifted on opening night. A hopeful, if not overly expectant, Ewood Park crowd lay in wait for whatever this bonkers football club might throw at them this time around.

It was a confident start from Eustace's side, who were on the front foot early on. Gueye's early movement was encouraging and fashioned the first chance of the match.

Travis played a nice ball down the side of the Derby centre-back and Gueye ran on, dragging his shot just wide of the post from a tight angle.

'I like the look of him' was the early verdict of the big striker, who offered a focal point and protected the ball impressively. He'll be judged on goals but first impressions count.

He was involved in Rovers' first goal of the season too as he again made an unselfish run into the channel and cut the ball back for Dolan to smash in from close range.

Rovers continued to control proceedings. Travis was snarling in midfield, Dolan buzzing around and Gueye knocking defenders about. They played out from the back with composure and at half-time, it was so far, so good.

They were given a scare early in the second half though when an inswinging corner deceived everyone and almost curled straight in, Luckily, Pears was able to scramble it away and off the line in the nick of time.

Gueye then got his big moment in front of goal but didn't make the right contact as he was slipped in on goal. It was a scruffy finish from the big man and a big chance wasted.

Derby were on top and Rovers looked leggy. That sparked the entrance of Mr Szmodics, alongside Ohashi and Weimann, as Eustace looked to add fresh impetus into the match.

It proved ineffective though as, moments after the changes were made, the Rams levelled. Nelson towering highest at the back post to power a header into the net.

Despite the setback, Rovers were not pegged back for long. A brilliant run from Carter saw him win the ball back, drive into the Derby half, a one-two, a Cruyff turn and then an inch-perfect cross for Weimann to head in at the back post.

A debut of dreams for Weimann but all the credit goes to Carter for an amazing run. Things got even better shortly after.

Szmodics ensured the headlines were reserved for him as he turned in Brittain's low cross from close range. The roar inside Ewood Park was deafening as their star man silenced any critics with transfer speculation still swirling.

That wasn't the end of the scoring though as Ohashi scored on debut too. It was a sweeping counter-attack with Szmodics playing it into his path and he dinked it over Josh Vickers for four.

Derby had time to pull one more back as Wilson fired in with 90 seconds to go but it was little more than a consolation goal.

It was still a perfect night for Rovers and Eustace, with all three of his substitutes finding the net.