BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness admitted for the first time last night that Rovers WERE serious contenders in the chase for Robbie Fowler.

Ewood chief Souness has ultimately had to accept defeat in his six month chase for the Toxteth terrier after Leeds agreed an £11 million fee with Liverpool on Monday.

But the ambitious Scot believes Rovers came a close second in the battle for his services as he wished the player good luck at his new club.

"There was a prospect of him coming here but his view on it was that Leeds was his first choice," said Souness.

"But I think we would have been a close second.

"At the end of the day, though, you've just got to say 'lucky Leeds.'

"I think Robbie's going to be an outstanding signing for them if it goes through.

"I've known him since he was a young boy and, although he hasn't played a lot of football recently, I still think he's the best finisher in the British game at the moment, and I think he'll prove that when he goes to Leeds."