Rovers manager warns Championship rivals to be fearful of Blackburn (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rovers manager warns Championship rivals to be fearful of Blackburn

9:30am Saturday 30th June 2012 in Blackburn Rovers & Premier League Table & Results By Andy Cryer , Blackburn Rovers reporter

STEVE Kean wants his Championship rivals to fear Blackburn Rovers next season – and he is adamant he now has the financial backing to achieve that.

The Rovers boss described the capture of Danny Murphy as a “huge statement of intent” and vowed there would be more signings coming to make people sit up and take notice.

The Lancashire Telegraph understand Newcastle United striker Leon Best is set to become the next Ewood Park addition for in the region of £3m, after agreeing personal terms, while Sporting Lisbon midfielder Adrien Silva is believed to have turned down a move to Porto as he looks to make his Rovers switch a reality.

Portimonese’s 19-year-old left winger Fabio Nunes is also expected to sign imminently as Kean looks to bring about an instant Premier League return.

Kean said: “It was important we got the first signing of the season right and it is a massive statement. We want the clubs in our division to look at our squad list and and think that is full of quality. The signing of Danny Murphy has proved that.

“I would like the other teams to look at the squad and think ‘that is a Premier League squad, that is in the Championship for a season’.

“That would be what I would love at the end of the transfer window, to be able to say that he has quality all over, that has depth, that is going to be difficult for teams not to know everyone. You want them to be frightened.

“I would rather let other more qualified persons talk about the finances. It was plain to see we lost a lot of players and now what we are trying to do is add these type of players so there has been a big shift. I think that will be even more apparent in the next couple of weeks.

“This shows the backing of the owners to make signings like this. You will see there will be other signings coming in that people will sit up and take notice.”

Kean believes 35-year-old Murphy will be able to control games next campaign, tipping the former Fulham skipper to dictate things in the centre of the park.

Kean said: “When you bring a player like him in, I think everyone looks at you more seriously. Danny wants to play and he wants to finish on a high and back in the Premier League.

“We were very fortunate in years come by to have Tugay here. He was getting on a bit. Sometimes when you have quality and vision, the ball can always move quicker than any player, look at Pirlo.

“Why can’t Danny achieve what Tugay did? He can pass the ball like him and Danny plays a similar vein. If he can be our new Tugay I would love that because he was the type of player who got fans off their seats.”

Meanwhile Rovers fans now have until August 1 to purchase season tickets for the coming campaign at last year’s prices.

Standard adult prices in the Ronnie Clayton Blackburn End, Darwen End and Riverside stands remain at £225, with under-16s priced at £85 (just £3.70 per game).

August 1 is the claim-your-seat deadline for those wishing to renew at the offer prices and Adult and Senior tickets beyond that date will be priced from £259.

Season tickets prices for Juniors and Young Adults will remain frozen at last season's prices.