BLACKBURN Rovers new boy Tony Watt is relishing the prospect of working with one of his boyhood Celtic heroes Paul Lambert. 

Rovers boss Lambert yesterday made the skilful striker his fifth signing of the January transfer window.

Watt has joined on loan for the rest of the season from Championship rivals Charlton Athletic.

But Rovers have confirmed they have agreed a fee with the Addicks with a view to making his move permanent in the summer.

Watt grew up watching former Scotland midfielder Lambert play for Celtic before going on to represent the Glasgow giants himself.

And the 22-year-old, who famously scored Celtic’s winner in their Champions League victory over reigning European kings Barcelona in November 2012, said: “It’s a massive club, I’ve seen the squad and how good the team is, so I wanted to be here.

“The gaffer played at Celtic, I used to watch him on TV, and I’ve seen what he’s done as a manager, so I wanted to come here and work with him.

“As a manager he’s done it across the board – in League One, the Championship and the Premier League.

“Everything he said to me was positive. He just said to be myself and explained to me how he wanted me to play. It ticked all the boxes and I was happy to hear it.

“I just like to get on the ball and it’s up to the gaffer where he wants to play me. I’m not going to ask to be played here or there. I just want to get the ball to my feet and play.

“I can play in any of the four positions (up front) but mostly through the middle as a number 10 or a number nine. But I’ll play anywhere the gaffer wants me too.”

Watt joins a Scottish contingent at Ewood Park that already included Lambert, his assistant manager Alan Irvine, captain Grant Hanley, departing top-scorer Jordan Rhodes and winger Craig Conway.

But the Scotland Under-21 international is familiar with most of his new team-mates having faced Rovers three times this season – twice with his parent club Charlton, most recently in last Saturday’s 1-1 at the Valley, and once with Cardiff City, for whom he was on loan at until earlier this month.

And Watt, who impressed in all three matches, said: “I’ve faced Blackburn three times this season, and twice in the last few weeks, so I know the boys like the back of my hand!

“But even in the last couple of hours they have been brilliant and welcomed me straight away. Hopefully I can repay them.”

Cardiff had agreed a fee with Charlton, believed to be in the region of £1m, to sign Watt on a permanent basis.

But the deal collapsed after the Bluebirds were placed under a Financial Fair Play embargo by the Football League.

Watt, who will wear the number eight shirt vacated by Fode Koita at Rovers, said: “I had just about signed with Cardiff – I had passed my medical – and they got a transfer embargo.

“But I’m happy to be here at this great club and I’d like to be here for the duration.”

Rovers were last night still awaiting official confirmation from the football authorities as to whether Watt is eligible to play in this afternoon’s FA Cup clash at Oxford United.