Michael Beale was glowing in his praise for Lewis Travis, outlining his pride at the player the Rovers captain has developed into.

The pair worked together when Travis was a teenager at Liverpool before making the move to Rovers.

While Beale is embarking on his first taste of management, after being highly regarded as a No.2, Travis was this week named as Rovers’ club captain.

The 24-year-old has played over 150 games for the club and has become an integral part of the side since his debut in 2017.

Travis struck the only goal of the game, his 25-yarder settling the opening day encounter at Ewood, with Beale crediting it with a goal worthy of winning the game.

Asked if he regretted teaching Travis how to line up shots from distance, Beale joked: “He just whispered that in my ear there, as well!”

He then added: “Firstly, I'm so proud of him, I know his dad and granddad were in the stands and I knew them for a long time when I went to Liverpool.

“For him to be captain of a club of this size is a fantastic personal achievement.

“He's earned it the hard way, coming through the academy and it was a fantastic goal.

“Well done to him because it was a goal worthy of winning the game and I think his 'keeper up the other end has made a fantastic save from Ossie (Kakay) in a similar situation.”

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