BLACKBURN Rovers have poured cold water on speculation linking them with a move for Hibernian defender Steven Whittaker.

The Scottish Under-21 inter-national fullback has been linked with Rangers and Middlesbrough in the Premiership.

And his agent, Ken Anderson, said yesterday that Rovers were one of the sides chasing the £1.5m-rated player.

But Rovers chairman John Williams flatly denied that Mark Hughes' side were in the hunt.

Mr Williams also quashed stories linking Blackburn with a move for MLS striker Eddie Johnson, who plys his trade with Kansas City Wizards.