Matt Taylor relishing facing Man. United 'hero' Steve Bruce as Bristol Rovers host Blackpool

Matt Taylor has confessed that Blackpool manager Steve Bruce is a "hero" of his ahead of Bristol Rovers' home clash with the Tangerines on Tuesday with the Gas manager a Manchester United supporter growing up.

The Taylor family still own a couple of season tickets at Old Trafford and the Rovers boss grew up watching the legendary Red Devils teams of the 90s with Bruce one of the club's greatest ever defenders.

Now one of English football's most experienced managers 28 years on from his United departure, the 63-year-old was appointed as Blackpool's new boss in early September after the Tangerines sacked Neil Critchley just two League One games into the season.

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Taylor, who was a centre-back himself during his playing career, will share the touchline with one of boyhood heroes for the first time tomorrow night, something he says will particularly excite his mum.

"One of my heroes," the Rovers boss admitted. "United fan growing up. Yeah, I'll shake his hand and thank him for them two goals against Sheff. Wednesday back in the day. I'm sure my mum will be asking for a selfie as well.

"My mum's a Manchester girl, born and bred. We've always had a couple of season tickets so we're not armchair supporters. We're not glory supporters. She goes week in week out without fail and I try and go when possible, but limited in terms of work and obviously family. The whole family will mention it on the family chat going into the game."

Blackpool have severely underachieved so far this season with the Tangerines 19th with 17 points after 16 matches having narrowly missed out on a play-off position last term in their first campaign back at League One level.

Tuesday night's visitors are currently eight league games without a victory although they were without Bruce for a period as he stepped away from football to deal with the tragic passing of his four-month-old grandson Madison.

Meanwhile, the Gas are feeling better about themselves on the back of a hard-earned 1-0 win away at Mansfield Town on Saturday which saw them go four games unbeaten as Taylor looks to ensure improved performances get the deserved results.

However, the Rovers boss is still adamant that his side will be facing an extremely tough test, saying: "Serious players there. Serious team. Championship in recent years, so we know what they're all about, but we're at home.

"We're going to enforce the running as much as we can, put them under pressure, and take a big boost of confidence from this [Mansfield win].

"And, you know, managers are managers. So much respect for Nigel [Clough] and Steve. I think that shows League One this season, not just in terms of the level of clubs and the financial strength of the league, but the managers who are involved in it. It's absolutely incredible."

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