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Saturday, 06 July 2013, 15:00

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Kazim-Richards draws on win

Blackburn striker Colin Kazim-Richards has called on his team-mates to use their FA Cup victory over Arsenal as inspiration for their Championship campaign.

Last Updated: 18/02/13 at 08:34 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Championship. Click here to bet.

Colin Kazim Richards: Winning strike

Colin Kazim Richards: Winning strike

The 26-year-old scored the winner at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to inflict a first FA Cup defeat by lower league opposition on beleaguered Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Rovers have been handed a quarter-final tie away at Millwall. But first Michael Appleton's squad must prepare themselves for Tuesday night's trip to fellow promotion chasers Hull.

"We have to take this into Tuesday's game, because coming to places like this, no disrespect, is much better than going to certain places in the Championship," Kazim-Richards said.

"These are the players you want to play against and test yourself against the best."

Kazim-Richards admits it was a bitter-sweet moment to score the goal for Blackburn which knocked the Gunners out of the FA Cup - but will be cheering his boyhood team on when they aim to bounce back against Bayern Munich.

The on-loan Galatasaray forward grew up in Leytonstone, east London, to a Turkish Cypriot mother and father from the Caribbean, and was on Arsenal's books as a youngster before starting his career at Bury.

Spells playing for Brighton - bought as part of a competition from then league sponsors Coca-Cola - and Sheffield United, Galatasaray, Toulouse and Olympiacos followed before his latest loan move to Ewood Park.

"I was here as a schoolboy, so my connections are to Arsenal, I am an Arsenal fan. I love Arsenal," he said.

"I will be supporting them against Bayern Munich. I will have my Arsenal top on, and I will be there in front of the TV, but you know this is work.

"This is what I get paid to do and it's nice for the Blackburn fans, to give back because they have had a rough time, everybody knows what's gone on so it is nice for them to be able to celebrate."

Kazim-Richards admits it was a surreal experience to take on his boyhood club.

"I used to train under the Clock End (at Highbury) on the indoor pitches, so for me to get the goal is amazing. You dream of stuff like this and for it to come true," said Kazim-Richards, who dedicated the goal to his brother Rodney - who passed away as an infant from Edwards Syndrome.

"My dad was in the crowd, he comes to every game so for him to see it was great. My mum was there too, so for them it was a nice day."

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