ROVERS midfielder David Thompson earned a place in the Opta Index Premiership team of the week for his performance at Everton.

Back on Merseyside, Thompson tormented the Toffees rearguard with 13 deliveries into the box, including the cross for Andy Cole's sixth-minute goal.

The diminutive winger also unleashed six efforts at goal of his own but couldn't prevent Rovers from slipping to a 2-1 defeat.

Unsurprisingly, Everton's Wayne Rooney also made the team after scoring the winning goal to cap a man-of-the-match display.

It's party time

GIVEN all the unwanted publicity surrounding Celtic's shenaningans in Newcastle this week, Rovers rather sensibly decided against organising an official Christmas party for the players this year.

But that didn't stop Graeme Souness's squad from having a knees-up of their own prior to the festive period.

First team skipper Garry Flitcroft staged the bash for his team-mates at his Bromley Cross home following Rovers' 1-1 draw with Bolton recently.

And the evening had a fancy dress flavour with the guests turning up in 'western' entire.

They even hired a bucking bronco machine to give the night even greater authenticity.

But which member of the squad allegedly arrived wearing a sari after being told by the rest of the players that the theme for the night was 'Indian' rather than cowboys and indians?

Answers on a postcard, please!