FORMER Stockport manager Andy Kilner has lifted the lid on the amazing dare-devil antics of Blackburn Rovers' new hero Shefki Kuqi.

Mark Hughes' flying Finn left Rovers fans opened mouthed when he performed his 'swallow dive' goal celebration during the 2-0 victory over West Brom.

The 28-year-old's unique version of the bellyflop was the topic of conversation on everybody's lips as they filed out of Ewood Park last Saturday night.

However, Kilner reckons that eye-watering celebration was tame in comparison to the kind of acrobatics he once saw from Kuqi on a pre-season trip to Scandinavia with Stockport several years ago.

Kilner said: "Shefki might have his limitations as a player but people don't appreciate what an incredible athlete he is and that goal celebration is probably something only he could do.

"I once took the players on a boat trip as part of a pre-season tour with Stockport and we stopped in the middle of an estuary so the lads could jump over the side and go for a swim.

"There was also a mast on the boat, which must have been as tall as a house, and it had a diving board attached to it.

"I was sat on the deck, minding my own business, when suddenly I noticed Shefki climbing up the mast and I shouted 'what do you think you are doing?'.

"The next thing I knew, he dived off the top and performed a somersault before entering the water in a perfect straight line.

"It was a crazy thing to do but when you get to know Shefki, you realise he's a supreme athlete who can turn his hand to anything."