Scott Parker felt a ‘world class’ strike from Tom Cairney sent his side on their way to victory against Rovers.

Cairney fired in a 25-yard strike which nestled in the top corner 10 minutes from half-time to give the hosts the lead against his former club. Rovers had enjoyed the better of the early stages and the home fans were beginning to get restless at the lack of forward momentum from their side.

But Parker, whose side were beaten 1-0 on the opening day by Barnsley, settled more in to their stride after captain Cairney put them ahead.

“I think there was a bit of edginess, a few nerves amongst us (at the start),” Parker said.

“But saying that I probably sound like I’m contradicting myself as I thought the boys were really brave in the way I wanted us to play.

“With the way we play comes a certain risk. I thought the players were brave in taking on that risk.

“Last week at times we took the easy option and, for me, as a footballing side we’re not going to win matches in that way.

“As much there was a real nervousness, there was [also] a real bravery amongst us, and obviously a world class strike eases that and from there we had control of the game.

“They caused us one or two problems with some balls into the box but I was quite comfortable in the way we ended the game.”

Parker was particularly pleased with the defensive display from his side, who despite conceding possession and territory, restricted Rovers to no shots on target.

He added: “All week we spoke about the Barnsley result and how we came up short in terms of the physicality of that game, in terms of the basics of the game.

“I said to them about giving themselves a platform and a foundation, and that comes from doing the basics well.

“The defensive line was perfect, distances between our units were spot on.  We won second balls, played the way we could, and that gave us the foundations for individuals to do their work.”

Cairney and Mitrovic were both on target for the hosts who also included new signing Harry Arter in their ranks,

On the impact of the trio, head coach Parker said: “I look at the team with Cairney, Mitro and Arter, who won promotion with Bournemouth.  They’ve been around the league before and it puts us in a good position going forward.”