BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness was glowing in his praise of Paul Gallagher as the teenage striker helped to inspire Rovers to a vital victory against Tottenham on Saturday.

The 19-year-old Academy starlet made his full Premiership debut against the Londoners and such was the impression he made during a scintillating second half performance that Souness has already said that he will start again against Birmingham at the weekend.

"It's different starting a game compared to coming on as a sub but I thought he did well. He's a good player," purred the Rovers boss.

"At this level 90 minutes is a big ask and the excitement factor also took some strength out of him as well.

"But overall I thought Gally did well and he'll be starting again in our next game which is away to Birmingham and that tells you how I saw it."

In a tense first half, chances were few and far between as both defences came out on top.

But Gallagher helped to raise the tempo after the break and his constant probing and prompting caused the Spurs defence several anxious moments.

It was a performance that oozed maturity from a man so young but Souness wasn't surprised in the slightest by the impact his young Scot had on the game.

"If you were to ask me if I was surprised then the answer would be 'no'," said Souness.

"I'm only surprised that he didn't score and have more chances because he not only reads passes and gets on the end of what other people are doing but he can also manufacture things for himself.

"He's got a great deal going for him. It didn't faze him playing at Manchester United last week and he came through another test again on Saturday.

"I think he's going to be a player and the reason I think he's going to be a player is - taking his goals record aside - his general play. He's a cute player already.

"He's got a great ability to get shots off early before goalkeepers can set themselves.

"He came on and did that against Everton recently and he's got a real eye for goal.

"When he receives the ball with his back to goal he's already had a quick look to see where the goalie is.

"He'll try ridiculous chips and volleys from anywhere, such is his confidence."

Now Gallagher looks certain to keep his place against Birmingham at the weekend, which is some compliment given the fact that Souness has top-scorer Andy Cole available again after suspension.

"I'm not a believer in protecting young players and that's because I always treat players the way I wanted to be treated as a young man," said Souness.

"Ironically, I started at Tottenham and I felt I should have been in the first team at 18 but the manager thought I was pushing my luck and I ended up having to go somewhere else.

"I believe if you're good enough then you should get in there no matter what you're age is."

Meanwhile, Souness admitted Rovers rode their luck as they won at home for only the third time this season.

Vratislav Gresko's winning goal took a big deflection off Stephen Carr but Souness made no apologies for his side's slice of good fortune.

"It's fast approaching December and we've had absolutely no luck this season whatsoever so it's nice to have a wee bit now and hopefully we've turned the corner after this.

"It was also nice to keep a clean sheet. I thought we were nervous in the first half but we were kicking into our favourite goal in the second half, the crowd got behind us, we gathered momentum and caused them several problems.

"Kasey Keller kept them in the game on a couple of occasions and we were the best team in the second half which is why I believe we deserved to win."