Jon Dahl Tomasson has praised the work of the academy after naming talented 15-year-old Rory Finneran on the bench against Bristol City.

The teenager became the youngest ever player to be named in a Blackburn Rovers matchday squad. It was just a watching brief for the midfielder but a fantastic experience to be involved with the first team.

Finneran has been with Rovers since joining at Under-8 level. He has featured for the Under-18s on a few occasions this season and is highly thought of by the academy coaching staff.

The Republic of Ireland youth international has been offered a scholarship by the club and they remain hopeful he'll sign on and continue his development at Rovers. 

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Tomasson has seen him first hand in training and believes the youngster has a bright future in the game.

"We have a great connection with the academy, we work very closely together," Tomasson told The Lancashire Telegraph.

"We are working very hard to try and create those players, we always speak about players. He has trained with me a lot of times as well.

"All of the players, even the Under-18s, we know quite well. We need to develop players as well so we can be sustainable over time.

"If it's a good player, it's a good opportunity to learn because the squad is stretched so we should use it. I will probably have issues tomorrow because the school will call me and give me a headache, the boy needs to get to bed!"

"Experiencing the pre-match meal, the pre-match meeting, being around the dressing room is important," he added. "You see how the big lads are doing things.

"You're warming up, you are in Ewood and then you see an intense game and get the opportunity to get three points. It's been a great day for that boy and I think the family should be very proud."