Souness Reaction: Manchester City

Last updated : 17 January 2004 By Colin Rae

Souness was also pleased with a share of the spoils, even though Rovers have won only once in their last eight matches.

He said: "It was a scrappy affair involving two nervous teams, two sides fighting for their lives.

"I cannot fault my team for their commitments and the amount of work they put in.

"I would have liked my team to pass it better and show more creativity, but there were two sets of nervous players and I think that is the reason why the game panned out as it did."

Souness was delighted with the way his side dealt with the threats of City striker Nicolas Anelka, a player he describes as one of the best strikers in the world.

And he praised the display from the recalled Johansson as well as central defensive partner Markus Babbel.

He explained: "I can count on one hand the number of times we have defended well this season and this was one of them. Nils deserves a special mention because he has not featured a lot this season.

"He and Markus looked a pair in the centre of defence because Anelka is one of the best strikers around - and I mean in the world - and they kept him quiet."