The smile was still showing on the face of Jan Paul van Hecke even 30 minutes after the final whistle after the defender helped Rovers to a huge win in the table-topping clash against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

His thumping header was the bonus on top of the clean sheet in the 2-0 victory over the high-flying Cherries, with his bullet flying beyond Mark Travers and into the top corner midway through the second half to double Rovers' tally after Ben Brereton Diaz's opener in Dorset.

Over 800 Rovers supporters had travelled from the north-west, whilst others made the journey from the Netherlands to back the team, as van Hecke explains.

“My dad, my uncle and a family friend were there, so I’m even happier for them and for myself that I could score my first goal for Rovers and I think it was an amazing win," the 21-year-old reflected after the win.

“I’ve not seen my family for about two months and so to win and to score, it was amazing.

“When I made contact, I knew that I headed it so hard, which was the important thing, and then to see it hit the back of the net was an amazing feeling.

“I started running to the right side and then in my mind I kept telling myself ‘keep turning to the away fans’, so I turned to the away fans and slid on my knees! I like it when you can celebrate like that and to do it in front of the fans and my family, I was even happier.

“To win here at Bournemouth, 2-0, and to keep another clean sheet, I think it’s a big win for us and it gives us more confidence.

“It was a real team performance. Everyone gives 200% and you could see that on the pitch."

The Dutch defender's been impressed with what he's seen from the Rovers squad since making the summer switch on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.

van Hecke: A moment for family, friends and fans to remember!