HIBERNIAN are on the trail of Blackburn Rovers' towering defender Graham Coughlan.

The 24-year-old Irishman played in a behind-closed-doors match against East Fife last night and impressed enough for Easter Road boss Alex McLeish to want another look at him.

Coughlan, signed for Rovers from Bray Rovers by Kenny Dalglish, has been told by Blackburn boss Roy Hodgson that he has no future at Ewood Park.

McLeish said: "I spoke to Roy on Monday afternoon and he agreed that Graham could come up on trial as I felt last night's game at Bayview was an appropriate match to see him in.

"He did all right but I'd like to see him again, either for Blackburn reserves or for us before making my mind up."

Any hope McLeish had of signing the 6ft 3in centre-half on loan have been dashed by transfer rules north of the border with Coventry City kid Barry Prenderville already at Easter Road on such an arrangement.

But if Dublin-born Coughlan continues to impress he could earn himself a short-term deal with the Scottish First Division club.

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