GARY Croft's £1 million move from Grimsby to Blackburn Rovers was wrapped up before today's tea-time transfer deadline - subject to the usual medical requirements.

And Grimsby Town boss Brian Laws claimed that Rovers were signing a "diamond" in the versatile England under-21 defender who made his Mariners' debut as a 16-year-old.

If Croft goes all the way to the top of his profession, Rovers will find themselves handing over more cash.

They have agreed to pay Grimsby extra fees in stages if he does the business and goes on to make a certain number of senior appearances, plus £200,000 if he wins a full England cap. But, in that case, the potential extra payments, which could total a maximum of £700,000, would be worth it.

And it is normal practice in transfers these days.

Laws believes Rovers are getting value for money with a player he feels can thrive in the Premiership.

"It's a great deal for the club but first and foremost it's a superb chance for Gary Croft," said Laws, a former top-flight defender himself.

"I am a great admirer of his and I think he will grace the Premiership.

"At one stage, I was hoping it was going to be with us. But I could not have lived with myself if I had denied him the chance.

"He has been a diamond. He has listened and he has always been willing to learn."

Basically, Croft is a left back, but he can play on either side.

He has also played in the centre of defence and shone in that role against Premiership sides West Ham and Chelsea in FA Cup ties this season.

Grimsby rescued him from the soccer scrapheap at 16, when he was released by Port Vale and he rewarded them with a debut as a substitute against Wigan in January 1991, aged 16 years 11 months.

His full League debut came in September 1992, aged 18, against Tranmere.

Now 22, Croft has played in well over 100 League games for the First Division side.

Meanwhile, Rovers boss Ray Harford, having completed two deals in the run-up to the deadline, was in Dublin last night on a double mission. He was watching Ewood keeper Shay Given make his Republic of Ireland debut and, no doubt, taking another chance to run the rule over some of the Russian stars such as Ilia Tsimbalar.

The keeper, starring on loan to Sunderland, did well, despite a 2-0 defeat, and new Irish boss Mick McCarthy said: "Shay Given was excellent in goal."

Jeff Kenna got a run out as a second half substitute in Dublin.

It was Kevin Gallacher who took the spotlight in Glasgow, going on as a second half sub to run Australia - including ex-Rover Robbie Slater - ragged.

He set up the only goal for Ally McCoist in superb style and could well have cemented his place in the Scottish squad for Euro 96.

Coach Craig Brown admitted: "Kevin Gallacher was sparkling." Colin Hendry and Billy McKinlay both played the full 90 minutes for Scotland.

Henning Berg played his part in a comfortable 2-0 win for Norway over Northern Ireland in Belfast, though Lars Bohinen - still recovering from a calf injury - was absent.

For the first time since Terry Venables took over, there was no representative from Ewood in the England squad which beat Bulgaria 1-0 at Wembley, Tim Flowers surprisingly being left off the bench.

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