Jon Dahl Tomasson says Sam Gallagher’s goal at Celtic was an illustration of how he can operate from the right flank.

Gallagher had started the Accrington Stanley friendly as the central striker, a position he finished last season in.

Yet it was on the right where he lined up against the Scottish champions, a position which former manager Tony Mowbray often utilised Gallagher in, as Rovers played without a centre forward for much of the 2021/22 campaign.

He put Rovers ahead after only 21 seconds, collecting a pass from a central position.

It had been expected that Tomasson will utilise him through the middle, and while that could still be the case, he says a role on the right is one he can pose a danger from.

“He played from the right but he can move whenever he wants,” Tomasson said.

“He has freedom within the structure.

“The four players that were up front, they can move whenever they want.

“We played a very good side, so you didn’t always see that, but the goal was a good one and you could see it there.”

Gallagher finished just shy of double figure last season, with 24 goals across the last three campaigns since signing on a permanent deal from Southampton in 2019.

He started 28 of Rovers’ 46 Championship matches last season, missing only three games because of injury.

Tomasson allayed concerns over any issue with the 26-year-old, who was taken off in the second half at Celtic, putting that down to simply a tight hamstring and not wanting to take any risks.

Against the Scottish champions he played as part of a front four, with Jack Vale leading the line.

Gallagher and Ben Brereton, both on the scoresheet in the 2-2 draw, were part of the supporting cast along with Tyrhys Dolan.

It was the first time that the head coach has gone with a back four in pre-season, something he has put down to a lack of midfield options.

Gallagher could have had a hat-trick in his hour-long appearance, twice denied in the second half by Benjamin Siegriest, having taken his goal particularly well in the first half after collecting Vale’s pass as Rovers stunned their hosts with an early strike.

Vale has pushed his case with a goal and two assists in his two pre-season outings, and is one of few recognised options to play as the central striker.

The Welsh youth international is one of a handful of young players being given the opportunity to impress in pre-season and to catch the eye of Tomasson.

The head coach said of those experiences: “Enormous, those chances those boys are getting they have been waiting for years and now it’s about taking the chance.

“Can you cope with the environment, with the speed of the game?

“I think it’s been a good way to play these big games, because Celtic are a top opponent, and we want to develop the players who can handle that.

“It’s been a good experience.”

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