Blackburn Rovers striker: Scoring at Manchester United would be special moment

10:25am Friday 30th October 2009

Exclusive By Andy Cryer

NIKOLA Kalinic admits opening his Premier League account at Old Trafford would be the ‘most special’ moment of his career - but insists he isn’t about to rush his English education.

Blackburn Rovers’ Croatian striker finally broke his goal duck in English football in Tuesday night’s 5-2 Carling Cup win at home to Peterborough, pictured right, and is now gunning to shoot down Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow evening.

Kalinic though fully expects to return to the substitutes bench for Rovers’ daunting trip to the Premier League champions but insists he will be more than ready to answer his team’s call if needed.

The pressure has been building on Rovers’ £6million summer signing, with some fans growing impatient at his limited first team opportunity, but Kalinic himself is just enjoying the adventure.

He said: “I would love to score at Old Trafford. To score against any of the best sides would be a special moment and of course scoring at Manchester would be very special.

“It would be something else but I know I will probably be back on the substitutes bench and that is something I fully understand. I am still enjoying myself and still prepared to bide my time.

“I just want the team to do well but if I do get a chance and get on the field I will do everything I can to continue where I left off against Peterborough.”

The 21-year-old former Hajduk Split man was making his third Carling Cup start on Tuesday night, with four substitute appearances in the Premier League also to his name.

He has shown in glimpses why Rovers were prepared to splash out big money on his signature, creating numerous chances for himself, but Tuesday’s calm finish from the penalty spot would have come as a relief to all concerned.

Kalinic said: “I had no fear. Benni McCarthy called me to take the penalty and I knew I would score. I had scored the last 11 in Croatia so I am a bit of a penalty specialist.

“I think our assistant manager Neil McDonald was a little bit worried but I knew I would not miss. It was good to set up Benni’s goal as well.

“In Croatia we have a saying that to make an assist makes two people happy – you and the goalscorer. I created many goals in Croatia and I am confident I can do that at Blackburn.”

While Kalinic’s confidence grows all the time, fierce competition for the striking positions continues to leave him currently down the pecking order as he learns to adapt to the pace of physical nature of English football.

David Dunn’s re-emergence playing in a free role has left Allardyce playing Franco Di Santo as the lone striker, with McCarthy, Kalinic and Jason Roberts battling it out in reserve.

Di Santo’s confirmed January return to Chelsea will hand Kalinic & co fresh opportunities though, with the Croatian for one ready to take his chance.

He said: “I will just continue to work hard and continue learning. There is no problem at all in Blackburn for me and I am sure the goals will come.

“Once I start playing several matches in a row, I think people will see what I can do.”