Souness excited by Parkhead atmosphere

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness is banking on his young team to savour the “unique” Parkhead atmosphere.

The former Rangers boss believes players like David Dunn, David Thompson and Damien Duff – if fit – can rise to the challenge when they face Celtic in the UEFA Cup on Thursday.

Souness said: “The atmosphere will be more hostile than anything these lads have experienced. The more hostile it was the more it turned me on as a player and as manager I think I am still the same.

“I am going there with a young team who although they have played at Old Trafford, Highbury and Anfield will find the atmosphere at Parkhead quite unique.

“I will tell my players to enjoy it. That is a mark of what you are. If you can go to places like that, if you have anything about you, the bigger the stage the better you perform.

“The more it turns you on, the more exciting it becomes. I will be looking closely at how they deal with it. But I expect them to handle it.”

Republic of Ireland midfielder Duff could make his comeback after a hamstring injury against his boyhood idols.

Duff has been sidelined since picking up the injury on international duty in the Euro 2004 qualifier against Switzerland earlier this month.

Souness said: “He has been training the last few days and obviously that gives us a decision to make. It is a nice one – I like that – because he gives us something very different.”

Striker Andy Cole is also in contention after suffering a similar injury. He spent the weekend training rather than travelling to Arsenal where they recorded a 2-1 victory.

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel played on despite suffering knee ligament damage in the warm up and is expected to retain his place in the side.

Souness has maintained his links with Ibrox and Blackburn will used Rangers’ training ground in Milngavie as preparation for the cup clash.

“It is no big deal, although it might seem that way in Scotland,” he said. “I would have no qualms about asking Martin O’Neill about using their training ground if it was convenient.

“It is something we do here at Blackburn, offering our facility to clubs who are playing in the north.”