GRAEME Souness today hinted he's ready to unleash exciting youngster Paul Gallagher on unsuspecting Premiership defences after the teenager seized his chance to sparkle against Everton on Monday night.

Gallagher provided Souness with a glimpse of his talents during an impressive second half performance against the Toffees.

And now Souness is considering giving the 19-year-old a more active role as Rovers look to pull away from trouble near the foot of the Premiership.

"Young Gally did very well when he came on on Monday night and he looks ready for me," said Souness.

"You tend to find that the people who are going to be proper players can only do a season in reserve football because if you are going to grasp it, then you are going to do it then.

"The players who make it tend to show it immediately because if you are going to succeed at this level then you need to start showing it by the time you're 18 or 19.

"And in Gally's case, he's been showing it for a while now."

Gallagher has yet to start a game in the Premiership for Rovers, although he has made a number of appearances from the substitutes' bench.

But when he has come on, he has tended to catch the eye with his youthful exuberance.

And he has also been shining in the reserves too, where he has been a regular scorer during the last 12 months.

So, with Andy Cole set to miss the next two first team games through suspension, the Scottish Under 21 international may well be given further opportunities by Souness in the coming weeks, most likely from the bench.

Meanwhile, rejuvenated midfielder Brett Emerton said Monday's victory against Everton sent a wave of relief through the dressing room.

"It was a major relief and there was some happy faces in the dressing room after the game," said Emerton.

"I didn't think we did too much differently compared to what we have being doing in the past few weeks.

"Everything just came together on Monday and I don't think there was a bad player on the pitch.

"Everyone performed well and you could see the desire that everyone had to win, which was probably the main difference in the end.

"Now we can enjoy the two week break and look forward to the game against Manchester United.

"Hopefully, we can go there and get some kind of result."