SIMON Garner insists a sell-out Ewood Park can play their part in extending Burnley’s 30 years of pain on Sunday - urging the fans to roar Rovers on to making it another derby day to remember.

The Blackburn Rovers legend admits he is fed up with Clarets’ fans ‘crowing’ about being the new top dogs in East Lancashire but is confident Rovers’ feet will do all the talking this weekend.

Garner, who scored against Clarets every time he played them, has rubbished claims Rovers will bully Owen Coyle’s men into submission though, insisting it is ‘superior talent’ that will win the day for the hosts.

Burnley sit five points clear of Rovers in the Premier League, having played a game more, but Garner has no doubt their new found bragging rights won’t last for long.

He said: “I know Burnley’s fans have been very vocal in recent weeks and are enjoying lauding it over Rovers. But I think all their crowing is highly premature. I can see a jumping Ewood Park cheering another brilliant win over Burnley.

“Don’t get me wrong, they have started very well, but a season is 40-odd games long, not less than 10. Come back to me at the end of the season and we will see who has the last laugh.

“I am very confident Rovers will beat Burnley on Sunday and that isn’t just bravado. My heart and my head says Blackburn and I’m sure I will be proved right. If I was the Burnley fans I would keep quiet until after the game.

“As long as Rovers win the battle first, their extra ability will make sure they get the result. I don’t agree with all this bullying nonsense, I just think there is more quality in their squad.

“Even if Burnley manage to beat us on Sunday, I would still be in no doubt that Rovers will finish above them in the league. I am certain about that.”

Garner, 49, scored 192 goals in more than 550 appearances for Rovers between 1976 to 1992, but counts his scoring exploits against Burnley at the very top of his career highlights.

The Clarets travel to Ewood on Sunday without a win in football’s FROM BACK PAGE oldest derby since 1979 and a bumper crowd is now guaranteed with both sets of fans eagerly anticipating the first top flight clash between the two for 43 years.

“Even though I haven’t played for Blackburn for so long and now live in London, this game still means a lot to me,” Garner said. “I would be gutted if Blackburn didn’t win, but I can’t see that happening.

“The best way for the Blackburn fans to get one over Burnley is to sing their side to victory. There is no better way to get your players up for it by roaring them on. Do that and I am sure we will all be celebrating come the final whistle.

“In my day there used to be a lot of crowd trouble but I really believe that has gone now. Every fans should be able to go the game and enjoy the day.

“Burnley beat Manchester United at the start of the season but if they manage to beat Blackburn, then there is no doubt what their biggest result would be for the fans. Manchester United will be their second best result of the season.

“It is a big shame the derby hasn’t been around for so long, but the reason for that is because Blackburn have been the bigger club for so long now.”