Valerien Ismael has played down the significance of Blackburn Rovers facing John Eustace for the first time since his predecessor left Ewood Park for Derby County.

Rovers appointed Ismael as their new boss in the wake of Eustace leaving the club for the Rams last month. And speaking ahead of the Championship clash between the two clubs at Pride Park on Saturday (3pm), Ismael said: "For me, it's more the game against Derby County.

"I know that John was the former manager. He did a great job here from last season to stay in the league with the club, to rebuild the squad and then to form a squad we were able to compete for the play-off.

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"He did a great job at Birmingham (City) as well. He showed his quality as a coach. He has his own issue at the minute focusing on Derby.

"He competes, he wants to win the game. He's desperate to win the game as well. It doesn't matter for him (about facing Blackburn).”

Eustace has swapped a play-offs chase with Blackburn for a relegation battle at Derby, with the Rams bottom of the table and seven points adrift of safety with 11 matches left to play.

"It's against Blackburn and another one where they need points,” added Ismael. “We need the points for another reason. So for me, it's just the next game in front of us.

"I don't know the relationship between the players and John Eustace, but I think that he did something right. Otherwise, the player wouldn't be in that position. I think it's more the fact that you are in a position where you can push for the play-off.

"I think this is more, this is overall for the players, the one chance life for them. So the focus will be more on that. So it's more on your own performance, what you have to do, rather to be focused on against whom you are playing."

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