#blackburn-rovers

#blackburn-rovers

BBC Sport and others are reporting that Michael O'Neill is set to take over at Ewood Park but will also continue in his Northern Ireland role for the World Cup playoffs, and this summer's finals if they qualify. Blackburn's current interim manager is the former Northern Ireland international Damien Johnson, and he will reportedly stay on as part of O'Neill's coaching staff. Rovers sacked Valerien Ismael on 2 February, with the club mired in the Championship relegation zone.

Arsenal are reportedly stepping up their efforts to sign Blackburn Rovers' teenage sensation Igor Tyjon, with the 17-year-old striker emerging as a key target for the Gunners this month. Following a summer window where the North London club had approaches rebuffed, fresh reports indicate that Arsenal are back at the table. With the youngster signaling his intent to leave Ewood Park, a move to the Emirates could be on the horizon before the January window shuts.

Goals from Sam Smith and Oliver Rathbone before the break were enough to secure all three points on the road for Phil Parkinson's side, seeing them extend their winning run in the competition to three games. Wrexham were ahead after just 11 minutes against a struggling Blackburn side, with Matty James' long ball over the top of the Rovers defence taken down and slotted in at the near post by Smith.

I wasn't trying to prove myself, but I was very fortunate that I was asked to become manager at a time when Jack was throwing his heart into the job, as well as his finances, Dalglish tells FourFourTwo. His finances and his support were both 100 per cent genuine. He was born and bred Blackburn. After taking the helm in October 1991, Dalglish soon had Rovers sitting at the top of the table, before guiding them to the play-offs, where they overcame Leicester 1-0 at Wembley.

Preston looked the more dangerous side in the opening stages, with Lewis Dobbin and Liam Lindsay both going close before Michael Smith and Odeluga Offiah both saw efforts blocked in quick succession. Andrew Hughes tested Aynsley Pears in the Blackburn goal before Offiah had another chance in the box, though this time his strike failed to hit the target, but a frantic end to the first half followed.

"It's a real disappointment. I owe a lot to Blackburn and it was a great club. I have some friends from there now at different clubs, and we're shocked you don't expect this would happen any more."