FORMER Scotland legend Graeme Souness is waiting by the phone as the race to succeed Brian Kidd as the manager of Blackburn Rovers hots up.

The ex-Rangers and Liverpool chief has already publicly expressed his interest in the Ewood post.

But he confirmed today that he has had no contact with the Rovers board about the possibility of assuming control.

"The current situation is that I'm out of work and the prospect of being the manager of Blackburn is a job that would interest me very much," said Souness.

"I'm just one of many people who are interested in taking over. It's a job a lot of people want.

"But since it became available about 10 days ago I've not heard anything from anyone at Rovers so I can only assume they are looking elsewhere."

Souness has not officially applied for the post but he would relish the opportunity to resurrect Rovers.

And he remains convinced he is the right man for the job after turning things around with Rangers at Ibrox at the end of the 1980s.

"Rangers had not won the championship for nine years when I went there," said Souness.

"But then you never get a job at a big club when everything in the garden is rosy.

"From a distance, Rovers look like a well run and well organised football club and I, like everybody else, thought Brian Kidd was the right man for the job.

"For whatever reason, though, things didn't work out.

"But I certainly would not be afraid of taking up the challenge. "And I think the present squad at Blackburn is good enough to get them out of the First Division."

Souness certainly has the experience for the job having captained both Scotland and Liverpool in a glittering playing career.

And he has continued to enjoy success as a manager, leading Rangers to the Scottish Premier Division title four times before returning to Anfield where he won the FA Cup in 1992.

Since then he has also managed Southampton before spells abroad with Turkish side Galatasaray, Italian outfit Torino and, most recently, Portuguese giants Benfica.

And during his time as both a player and a manager, he has built up a reputation for being a strong character who adopts a no-nonsense approach.

Although Souness has not been officially contacted by Rovers, his name is sure to have been discussed after he made his interest in the job public.

But Rovers chief executive John Williams will still not be drawn on speculation surrounding specific individuals ahead of Monday's meeting when the board will draw up a short list.

Williams has, however, revealed the club have received a significant number of quality applications.

And the timescale surrounding any appointment could depend on whether or not the person they identify as their top target is currently employed elsewhere. "We have a very long and impressive list which we will be discussing at the meeting," said Williams.

"And although games are going start to coming thick and fast again in the next few weeks, we are not aiming to make an appointment in time for a particular fixture.

"We will pick our man and then go out and try and get him.

"But, ultimately, the timescale will depend on whether the man we decide to go for is already in a job or not."

Meanwhile, Souness was at Hampden today covering the first leg of Scotland and England's Euro 2000 play off for Sky TV.

And he is backing Kevin Keegan's men to triumph over the two legs. "Unfortunately, I think England will win because they've got too many good players," said Souness. "I can't see where Scotland will hurt England over the two games."

Rovers game away to Birmingham, originally scheduled for today, has been rearranged for Tuesday February 15 (kick-off 7.45pm).

Rovers have been drawn away to Hullbridge Sports in the third round of the Times FA Youth Cup. The match is due to be played on Wednesday December 1 (kick-off 7.30pm) with the replay date set for Tuesday December 14 at Ewood.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.