BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today revealed he will not be pursuing his interest in Finnish international defender Hannu Tihinen.

Rovers' chief scout Alan Murray flew over to Dublin on Wednesday to watch the 24-year-old in action for his country during their 3-0 defeat against the Republic of Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

But Souness has now decided to switch his attentions towards a number of other targets as he bids to bolster his side's promotion push.

"We won't be pursuing our interest in that direction," said Souness.

"Alan Murray went to watch him on Wednesday but we've decided he's not the type of player we are looking for.

"But we still have a number of other options and we are looking to strengthen all the time."

Rovers would have had to part with a fee in the region of £3 million for the Viking Stavanger player, who spent a couple of days at Brockhall last week.

But, now that Souness has pulled out, that could clear the way for Middlesbrough to step up their interest after they also had representatives in Dublin this week.