Playing at top level key for Reid

THE chance to impress Irish boss Brian Kerr ahead of the crucial remaining Euro 2004 qualifiers was a key factor in Steven Reid’s move to Blackburn, the Irish midfielder revealed yesterday.

Rovers agreed a fee of around £2.5million with First Division Millwall for the Republic of Ireland midfielder, who has signed a four-year contract at Ewood Park.

Reid flew up to Blackburn from London on Monday with his agent, and after a six-hour medical inked a deal that will tie him to Blackburn until 2007.