BLACKBURN Rovers have ended their pre-season campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory at Scottish Premier League side Celtic.

Goals in each half from David Dunn and Alan Judge were enough to give Sam Allardyce's men the perfect lift ahead of next weekend's Premier League opener.

Marc Antoine Fortune had levelled for the hosts in the first half but Rovers were well worth their victory.

Lining up in a 4-1-3-2 formation, Rovers started brightly with David Dunn pulling the strings in the heart of the midfield.

It was from a moment of Dunn wizardry that created the first real chance of the game on nine minutes as his raking pass picked out the marauding Brett Emerton.

The Australian attempted to head the ball over the advancing goalkeeper but Lucasz Zaluska was able to parry the ball into the air and collect at the second effort.

It came as no surprise though when Dunn produced the opener on 11 minutes, brilliantly curling a 25-yard free kick past Zaluska after Nikola Kalinic had been fouled.

Celtic were level just five minutes later though as Marc Antoine Fortune latched onto Patrick McCourt's precise through ball before slotting the ball across Paul Robinson and into the net.

Rovers continued to do most of the pressing though and almost retook the lead when Michel Salgado's defence-splitting through ball was headed across goal by Josh Morris.

The waiting Nick Blackman looked certain to head home from close range but Charlie Mulgrew was just able to flick the ball away.

At the other end, Celtic were a threat as well though and substitute Morten Rasmussen should have done better when he was put clear through on goal, with his feeble effort easily cleared by Phil Jones.

Rovers came out quickly after the break and should have been ahead on 47 minutes when Croatian striker Kalinic picked up a loose ball just yards out from goal.

His well hit shot though deflected off Zaluska's legs and Celtic were able to clear.

Dunn was the next to go close on 52 minutes with a sublime 30-yard chip that had Zaluska stranded but which sailed inches over the bar.

Salgado then saw a long range shot fly over while at the other end Fortune should have done better when he raced clear of the Rovers defence.

The visitors retook the lead on 65 minutes though through substitute Alan Judge. The midfielder's low shot from the edge of the box crept in at the near post after Kalinic's neat pass.

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson, fresh from announcing his international retirement, reacted smartly to parry Ben Hutchinson's shot wide on 79 minutes

ROVERS: Paul Robinson, Michel Salgado, Pascal Chimbonda, Phil Jones, Gael Givet, Amine Linganzi, Brett Emerton (Aaron Doran 74), David Dunn, Nikola Kalinic (Gavin Gunning 74), Nick Blackman (Junior Hoilett 60), Josh Morris (Alan Judge 62).

Subs not used: Mark Bunn, Ryan Nelsen.

CELTIC: Lukasz Zaluska, Andreas Hinkel, Thomas Rogne, Milan Misun, Charlie Mulgrew, Marc Crosas (Cha Du-Ri 68), Richie Towell, Marc-Antoine Fortune (Ben Hutchinson 73), Patrick McCourt, Daryl Murphy, Gary Hooper (Morten Rasmussen 25). Subs not used: Dominic Cervi, Filip Twardzik, Ryan Conroy, Jos Hooiveld, Josh Thomson.