STRIKER Paul Gallagher has revealed the part that Blackburn Rovers team-mate Matt Derbyshire played in his season-long loan move to Plymouth Argyle.

Gallagher signed for the Pilgrims on Saturday morning and started the 0-0 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor that afternoon.

When the 24-year-old first heard about the chance of moving to Argyle, one of the first people he talked to was Derbyshire.

That was because Derbyshire spent four months on loan at Home Park during the 2005/06 season.

Derbyshire, now an England under-21 international, was signed for the Pilgrims by Bobby Williamson shortly before he was sacked as manager.

The striker made three starts for Argyle when Jocky Scott was caretaker boss.

But he was restricted to occasional substitute appearances after Tony Pulis took over at Home Park.

Blackburn recalled Derbyshire at the end of that December because of his lack of first team opportunities.

However, when Gallagher asked Derbyshire about Argyle the 22-year-old gave the club a glowing reference.

Gallagher said: "Matt told me it was a lovely place and the people were good. And as soon as I spoke to the manager (Paul Sturrock) I made my mind up.

"There were a few teams which came in at the last minute but I had already decided which way I was going."

He added: "Matt told me it's a family club and everyone gets on with each other, and that it's a nice place to live even though it's near enough in France!

"I have played at Home Park before and it's a nice stadium."

Gallagher hopes his move to Argyle will be a fresh start to his career and he insisted he was not concerned about the club's poor start to the season.

"I didn't even look at the league table because we have only played four games," said the Glasgow-born striker.

"If we can win our home games and dig out results away from home I don't see why we can't be up there.

"People won't like coming to Plymouth and trying to take points off us. I have been before and it's a hard place to go."

Gallagher did not play for Blackburn last season, although he had loan spells with Preston North End and Stoke City in the Championship.

He decided over the summer to leave Ewood Park, but then manager Mark Hughes quit to take over at Manchester City.

Paul Ince was appointed as his successor and Gallagher put his plans on hold.

Gallagher played in Ince's first game as Blackburn boss, and scored one of the goals in a 2-1 pre-season win at Macclesfield Town.

He also featured in friendlies against German club TSG Hoffenheim and Portugal's Sporting Lisbon.

But Gallagher was not in Blackburn's squad for their season-opening 3-2 win away to Everton in the Premier League.

He did, however, get one short run-out as a substitute in a 4-1 home defeat of Grimsby Town in the Carling Cup last Wednesday.

Gallagher said: "I was with the first team squad in pre-season but didn't play as many games as I would have liked to.

"But they have got a good squad and it's hard to play in that team.

"I wanted to leave in the summer when Mark Hughes was there, and then it all changed. I thought I would give it another crack.

"Then I spoke to Paul Ince and he understood my situation. I'm 24 and I need to be playing games.

"That couldn't be guaranteed at Blackburn with the squad they have got, so he was understanding about it.

"He said 'If you want to go out on loan it's up to you' so I took the opportunity."

Gallagher has made a total of 73 appearances for Blackburn, including 47 as a substitute, and scored eight goals.

His debut came in March 2003 when, aged only 18, he was a substitute in a 2-0 victory over Arsenal at Ewood Park in the Premier League.

But his pursuit of regular first team football now seems set to see him leave Blackburn.

Gallagher had been behind Roque Santa Cruz, Benni McCarthy, Derbyshire and Jason Roberts in the pecking order at Blackburn.

He said: "I think I will have to move on permanently. I have been there a long time.

"I have enjoyed it and they gave me the chance to play first team football at a young age.

"I have come to Plymouth now and, hopefully, I will do well and we will see what happens from there."

Gallagher played wide on the left of Argyle's attack in a 4-3-3 formation against Burnley.

It was not a new role for Gallagher because he scored 12 goals from that position during a season-long loan to Stoke in 2005/06.

"It was my first game in a long time and Burnley is a tough place to go to, so it was a good point," said Gallagher.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it. Playing reserve team football at my age is no good."

Gallagher will have to wait until Saturday week, September 13, before getting a chance to make his first appearance for Argyle at Home Park.

There is a two-week international break before Argyle play Norwich City.

Gallagher said: "It will give me the chance to get to know more about the players and the place itself. And, obviously, get myself fit for the next game.

"It might take me a few games to get match fit.

"But I scored goals for Stoke in this league and, hopefully, I can score a few goals for Plymouth."