IF anyone was starting to doubt whether Nikola Kalinic would ever be a Blackburn Rovers hit, a look at last night's Croatian heroics would show he still has a lot to offer.

Kalinic's brace against the Czech Republic were examples of the predatory instincts that saw Rovers splash out £6million for him 18 months ago.

His career in England has so far been a stop start affair but the majority of Rovers fans have seen enough to suggest he can yet prove a transfer market success.

Sam Allardyce always warned it would take a while for Kalinic to adjust to Premier League football but the transition time is surely up - now is the time to deliver.

Kalinic was always going to struggle playing as a lone striker, with his game more suited to collecting passes on the shoulder of defenders.

Now, with Steve Kean favouring two up front, Kalinic will get that chance and it is up to him to start establishing himself as a regular in attack.

The Croatian striker was left out of the squad for last weekend's visit to Wigan for 'a personal reason' but is expected to return for Saturday's visit of Newcastle United.

Kalinic is still loving life at Ewood Park according to the player and to people close to him and is now striving to take that next Premier League step with Rovers.

Patience is a virtue and you can't help but get the feeling that will prove the case with Kalinic. We just have to keep the faith.