Guvnor's exit could lead to career-defining moment for the Irish Rovers
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PAUL INCE'S departure from Blackburn could have serious ramifications for Irishmen Keith Andrews, Keith Treacy and Alan Judge.
The trio have all made great strides this season due to the encouragement of Ince and, for Andrews in particular, a battle lies ahead to prove himself to the new management.
He was the captain of Ince's promotion-winning MK Dons squad that stormed through League Two last season, and recently admitted that at that period he was likely to follow the manager to whichever club he joined.
That just happened to be Blackburn -- instead of League One side Leicester -- and the move was criticised by some Rovers supporters.
However, while the Ewood Park club have struggled in recent weeks, Andrews has established himself as a regular with several solid displays.
In addition, the higher profile has propelled him into the international setup, where he grabbed his first senior goal and cap in the recent friendly defeat to Poland.
At 28, it was a belated elevation to the top table and the Dubliner is desperate to remain there. Now he faces a fight to build up the same rapport with the new gaffer.
Recently, in discussion with the Irish Independent, Andrews had spoken of the bond with Ince that goes back to their playing days at Wolves, and the pressures of being associated so closely with him.
"I'm sure a lot of people would have thought it was a favour for the boys but I don't feel like I have to prove anything to anybody," said Andrews. "I feel that I'm here on just rewards, but I intend to crack on and prove, to myself first and foremost, that I can establish myself in this league.
"But yes, I do like working with the manager. I think he's mellowed a lot from when he was a player -- he would admit that himself. He rarely rants and raves because he realises himself that managers who do that rarely get what they want when they need it. His man-management is second to none.
"He has brought the best out of me. At MK Dons, he didn't just judge me by League Two standards, like he might have with other players. He asked me to reach the standards I should be setting for myself."
For youngsters Treacy and Judge, there will also be a nervous wait to see how the new supremo responds to them.
Treacy was on the fringes of the squad under Mark Hughes, but has pushed on this term with one start and eight substitute appearances in the league and a further four games in the League Cup.
The left-sided midfielder has won plaudits but will be looking to maintain his development in the rest of this campaign.
Fellow midfielder Judge was given prominence in pre-season by Ince and made one League Cup appearance and will be looking to impress a new man to build upon his progression.
Of course, the other Irishman at the Lancashire club is Steven Reid, who is currently on the sidelines recovering from his latest knee operation.
He will not return from his layoff until the beginning of next season but, ironically, the front-runner to take over form Ince is Graeme Souness -- who brought him to the club from Millwall in July of 2003.
- Daniel McDonnell
