Blackburn manager Mark Hughes was delighted by the performance new Swiss midfielder Johann Vogel put in during his sides draw against Tottenham yesterday.

Vogel was given a trial at Blackburn in March and was handed a two and a half year deal after impressing the club.

Vogel was released by La Liga side Real Betis in December after a legal argument with the club couldn’t be sorted out. The 31 year old was a free agent and was invited by Blackburn to have a trial, and did enough to secure himself a deal.

There were doubts about Vogel’s fitness going into the Tottenham game but Hughes felt that Vogel was ready to start. Vogel completed the full 90 minutes and Hughes saw more than enough from the Swiss to suggest he was going to be an important player for the club.

Hughes said that Vogel was lacking match practise and the fact he completed 90 minutes in the way he did was extraordinary.  

Blackburn face Liverpool in their next Premier League match and Hughes believes that Vogel will be much better and fitter in that match.

Hughes did admit that he was unsure whether Vogel would play the full 90 minutes but was surprised and delighted when he managed to play the full game.

Hughes added, “He got into the match more as the game went on and never really looked like he would struggle to complete the match. He got to grips with the pace of the game quickly which was brilliant.”