Lucas Neill | All 8 goals for Blackburn Rovers

Australian right back, Lucas Neill, signed for Blackburn Rovers in September 2001 for a fee of £600k from Championship side Millwall.
It would prove to be a bargain purchase as Neill became an almost permanent fixture at full back for Rovers over the next 5 years. Known for his combative and no nonsense approach to defending, Lucas Neill didn't take long to endear himself to the Rovers supporters. He made his Rovers debut in a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland and scored his first Rovers goal less than a fortnight later, in a 1-1 draw against Bolton at Ewood Park.
Rovers enjoyed a very respectable first season back in the Premier League in the 2001/02 Season, finishing 10th in the League whilst also winning the League Cup. Despite Neill being cup tied and not playing a part in Rovers' cup success, he more than played his part in some impressive Rovers performances throughout the season. A standout game being a 3-3 draw at Highbury in which Rovers and Neill defended admirably. He made 35 appearances in his first season at the club, scoring once.
Neill, then went from strength to strength the following season making 45 appearances in all competitions as Rovers reached the semi finals of the League Cup and the second round of the UEFA Cup, with the defender featuring in all of those games. The 2002/03 season turned out to be a fantastic one for Neill and Rovers, with the club finishing 6th in the Premier League and qualifying for European football again.
By now, Lucas Neill had become a mainstay at right back and he courted controversy early into the 2003/04 season, when a rough challenge resulted in a broken leg for Jamie Carragher at Ewood Park. This led to Neill and Rovers being criticised from the outside for overly aggressive play. Despite the noise, Neill went and scored at Fratton Park the following week as Rovers beat Portsmouth 2-1.
The 2003/04 and the 2004/05 seasons saw Rovers more concerned with staying up and Neill made 79 appearances across both seasons, scoring three times. The 2005/06 season is one which lives long in the memory as a superbly put together Mark Hughes squad achieved a top 6 finish, whilst also reaching the semi finals of the League Cup. Lucas Neill was part of a solid backline along with Andy Todd, Ryan Nelsen and Michael Gray.
That was to be Neill's last full season as a Blackburn Rovers player. The Australian leaving Rovers to join West Ham in January 2007. Memorably, he scored a 90th minute winner against AS Nancy at Ewood Park to send Rovers to the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup.
Lucas Neill will always be remembered for his robust, no nonsense style of defending and for also being a very capable footballer. His tough tackling as well as his passing ability made him a very solid Blackburn Rovers right back and one who was difficult to replace.
Neill made 227 appearances for Rovers over five and a half seasons, scoring 8 goals. Here are those goals.

[@RubyMarkLindMilly]

Top player loved him 👍

[@danielseward9877]

First player I ever got on the back of my shirt absolutely loved him

[@rovers9585]

A top right back for us. Solid and he could pass the ball too.

[@winkles2314]

Wasn’t expecting that many worldies ngl

[@rovers9585]

Some cracking goals in there for a defender.

[@ritamlahiri854]

Looks like danny drinkwater