RANGERS boss Dick Advocaat has read the riot act to his scouting staff after being beaten by Blackburn Rovers in the chase for St Mirren's teenage starlets Burton O'Brien and David McNamee.

The Glasgow giants, believed to be particularly keen on midfielder 'Bo-Bo' O'Brien, were left with egg on their faces as Rovers nipped in to pinch the pair.

And we can reveal that it was Ewood coach Brian McClair's contacts who helped tip the balance in Rovers' favour.

The man who groomed O'Brien and McNamee is Joe Hughes, St Mirren's youth development manager.

Hughes, while running an amateur side, also happens to be the man who "discovered" McClair. He recommended the young McClair to Motherwell - then managed by ex-Rover Ally MacLeod - and, as a result, got himself taken on as a scout.

The contact proved invaluable as Rovers beat off competition from a number of major clubs, on both sides of the border.

Advocaat was apparently so upset that he went with his assistant Bert Van Lingen to Love Street on Saturday, when St Mirren were playing a friendly against Hearts, to register his disappointment with the club.

Saints boss Tom Hendrie, however, said: "Blackburn made a decision on the boys very early in their careers and perhaps the likes of Rangers and Celtic were not prepared to make that sort of decision."

St Mirren chairman Stuart Gilmour had mixed feelings about losing the boys to English football but praised Rovers for their swift actions and attitude while the Scottish giants hesitated.

"I know Rangers have been here a lot this season but Blackburn were the only club who made an offer for the lads.

"Obviously part of you feels it might be better if young talent stayed in Scotland but Blackburn made us a superb offer and have also treated both our players superbly."

Permission has now been given by the Scottish football authorities for the teenagers to remain with St Mirren until the end of the season.

Final details of the loan, however, have still to be finalised between the clubs, paving the way for what St Mirren believe is a unique deal between a Scottish and English club, with the players being "leased back".

Meanwhile, Youth Academy director Bobby Downes is back from Australia, where he has been on a fact-finding mission to spread the search for top talent even wider.

Downes has made good contacts with Brisbane Strikers who are interested in some kind of tie-up with Ewood.

He also visited Sydney to establish contacts there.

"It was a tough trip with the journey involved but you have to get off your backside and do these things," said Downes.

"Clubs like Ajax, Manchester United and West Ham have been getting involved in Australia so we cannot afford to ignore it.

"I have made some useful contacts and it was also important to look at the standards of play and also the standard of youth development. Then, when we hear of potential young players, we have a better idea as to whether it is worth bring them over here."

The Brisbane club get most of their players from the Queensland Academy of Sport, a government-funded sports development college.

Rovers boss Brian Kidd will have to hold a casualty parade before tomorrow's game against Chelsea but he can welcome back Jason McAteer and Matt Jansen.

Jason Wilcox is still suspended and several others, including Billy McKinlay, Stephane Henchoz, Callum Davidson and Christian Dailly, remain doubtful.

Seat prices for season-ticket holders have again been slashed for the FA Cup fifth round replay against Newcastle on Wednesday, February 24 (kick-off 7.45pm) - See page 35 for details.

Other fans can also now buy replay tickets at a discount price of £15 for adults (£10 concessions).

The FA Cup sixth round tie between either Rovers or Newcastle and Everton has been switched to Sunday, March 7, for 'live' screening by ITV (4pm).

Rovers were scheduled to meet Everton in the Premiership at Ewood on Saturday, March 6, but that game has now been re-arranged for Wednesday, March 10 (7.45pm).

Tomorrow's reserve game at Aston Villa and next Monday's game at home to Preston Reserves have been postponed because of first team fixtures.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.