A JUBILANT Steve Kean insists ‘we have lift off’ after seeing his Blackburn Rovers side power to a 3-2 win and Premier League safety yesterday.

A scintillating first half display saw Rovers race into a 3-0 lead at Molineux and, despite two second half Wolves goals, Kean’s men never looked like dropping into the relegation mire.

Last gasp final day drama also saw Wolves survive at the expense of Blackpool and Birmingham but, for Rovers, it was all about looking ahead to a brighter future.

Co-owners the Rao brothers were in the Molineux stands to watch their side coast to survival and, after a difficult introduction to life in the Premier League, Kean believes the club will now only move upwards.

He said: “This is a massive moment for the club. If we had slipped into the wrong place, and gone down it would have been horrific.

“Obviously there would have been financial implications and the squad would have been decimated.

“We hope we can keep the squad together, strengthen in areas where we know we need help. It is not replacing players it is giving them help.

“We can look forward and really kick on. I am excited about the future. We do have lift off because this was important.

“We have had a bumpy ride. There have been massive changes at the club over the last six months but we have come out the right end of that. We will be a better club and I will be a better a manager for this.”

First half goals from Jason Roberts, Brett Emerton and Junior Hoilett calmed any pre match nerves among the vocal travelling army, as Rovers blew away their relegation fears.

Wolves were involved in an incredible fight to the finish, with results elsewhere leaving their fans on tenterhooks, but by the final whistle it was party time all round at Molineux.

Kean said: “The first half I thought we were exceptional.

"We knew Wolves would throw caution to the wind which they did after the break, because they had nothing to lose.

“Once they got the second goal it became apparent that goal would keep them in it and it became a bit like the last 10 minutes of last weekend.

“Some of the stuff we played in the first half was exceptional.

"I am delighted for the owners who were here, for the travelling fans who have been brilliant.

“We have produced the best performance of the season when it really mattered.

"This is a team that sticks together through thick and thin and the fans can go away happy for the summer.

“It has been a roller coaster but when the lads play in that manner it shows the atmosphere has been good.

"The players have been exceptional, the fans have been exceptional and I was absolutely over joyed they have seen a performance like that.”