ACADEMY starlet Jay McEveley has described the events of the last seven days as a dream come true after making the breakthrough into the first team.

Just three days after making his full debut in Rovers' 4-0 Worthington Cup win over Rotherham, the 17-year-old defender was given his first taste of Premiership action in Saturday's derby with Bolton at the Reebok.

And the fearless teenager repaid manager Graeme Souness's faith with another accomplished performance in an unfamiliar left-back role.

"It's been a dream week. I've gone from the youths to the reserves and then the first team and I can't believe how quickly it's all happened," said McEveley.

"I found out on Friday that I was going to play. I was training with the first team then afterwards we worked on some team shape with the back four and the manager called me over so I was made up.

"The tempo was a lot faster than it was in the Rotherham game but I thought I did okay.

"I was told they'd come at us all guns blazing in the opening 20 minutes with it being a derby game so I was ready for it.

"I just tried to get the ball up to Duffer and then supported him whenever I could."

It was McEveley's second appearance of the week and he was only withdrawn in the second half because Souness wanted to change the shape of his team.

"I didn't think I'd be able to cope physically with playing two big games in such a short space of time but I have done and I've got to take that on from here now," added McEveley.

Souness was certainly impressed with the youngster and there could be further opportunities to follow soon.

"He's only 17 but he played when we as a team weren't playing particularly well and came through very well," said the Rovers boss.