Rovers chief plots Euro campaign

That's the message coming from chairman John Williams, who saw nine months of hard work come to a glorious conclusion earlier this week when Rovers secured the points they required to qualify for a place in the UEFA Cup.

With a top six finish now guaranteed following Tuesday night's epic victory over Chelsea, Williams can afford to take time out and reflect on a remarkable season of achievement, which has seen Rovers transformed from relegation candidates to European qualifiers.

But he and Mark Hughes have already begun planning for next season and top of their wish list is to improve on Rovers' miserable European record from the past.

"The one thing I'm determined to do next season is make sure we have a good European campaign," said Williams.

"Graeme Souness is the only Blackburn manager since Ray Harford to have won a tie in Europe, and even then we didn't actually win a game to get through to the next stage of the UEFA Cup; we went through on away goals.

"There's no point working hard for 38 games to get a reward and then letting it slip through your fingers.

"It's no easy task for a club like ours to have a successful season in the Premiership and do well in Europe but, given the way our coaching staff prepare for games, I think it's possible.

"The last thing we want to do is go out with a whimper after the first round because everyone has worked so hard to get us there in the first place.

"So we know we must do better in Europe than we have in the past, and we are determined as a club to do that."

Rovers have hardly covered themselves in glory on previous sojourns into Europe.

In fact, of their 16 Champions League and UEFA Cup ties, they have won just one, and that was a dead rubber against Rosenborg after their qualification hopes had been dashed.

But Hughes and his players firmly believe they can be a force on the continent next season, and there's even talk of emulating the achievements of Middlesbrough, who, under the leadership of new England manager Steve McClaren, have reached the UEFA Cup final this term.

For that to happen, it's imperative Hughes strengthens his squad over the summer with a number of quality additions.

With the extra demands a European campaign is likely to place on his players, Hughes knows he needs greater strength in depth if Rovers are to do themselves justice at home and abroad.

By the time Middlesbrough come to face Seville in the UEFA Cup final on May 10, McClaren's players will have played a staggering 63 games, an exhausting schedule when you consider Rovers have played only 46 times in the same period.

Hughes is not perturbed by such a prospect; in fact, he is relishing the chance to test himself on foreign battles, unlike his predecessor Graeme Souness, who viewed Europe as an unwelcome distraction from the bread and butter of the Premier League.

The former Wales manager has already proved himself to be a shrewd operator at Premiership level; now he's ready to boost an impressive CV by masterminding a successful European campaign.

"A mantra for life is to keep making progress," said Williams.

"Standing still in football is no longer acceptable.

"Our goals for next season are to try and beat our points total from the previous year in the Premiership; and to have a successful run in Europe.

"We've achieved great things on the pitch this season and that's been down to hard work, great camaraderie, and some excellent football.

"Then grafted onto all that has been the leadership that Mark and his coaching staff provide, which pulls it all together.

"Now the challenge is to build on that success over the next 12 months."

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