Blackburn Rovers Football Club

• Nickname:Rovers
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Michael Appleton

• Ground:Ewood Park
• Capacity:31367

Kalinic takes the plaudits

28 Oct 2009 - 11:19:28

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Croatia international Nikola Kalinic has finally managed to get to grips with life in the Premier League, according to Blackburn's assistant manager Neil McDonald.

Kalinic scored his first goal for Rovers in Tuesday's 5-2 Carling Cup victory against Peterborough United following his summer switch from Hadjuk Split.

McDonald has admitted that it has taken the striker time to come to terms with the Premier League but believes he can now go on to be one of the English game's stars.

He said: "Nikola has created a couple of good chances as well and to get that first goal will take the pressure off him.

"It takes time for a foreigner to come into the English game and adjust to the pace, the style of play and the physical and mental demands.

"He's been patient and we've seen glimpses of what he can do certainly. He'll only get stronger I'm sure.

"Benni McCarthy wants Nikola to do well so he gave him the second penalty and he stuck it away.

"I'm sure if he'd missed it there could have been a huge problem, but he's stuck it in the back of the net and showed that he's got the confidence to do it."