BLACKBURN midfielder Steven Reid has set his sights on Europe after he inspired Rovers to a magnificent 3-0 win at Wigan on Saturday.

The Republic of Ireland international capped another industrious performance with a quite brilliant goal as Rovers roared to a fourth straight win in all competitions.

That result lifted Mark Hughes' side up to ninth in the table - their highest position since the first week in October.

And Reid believes his team-mates are now equipped to soar even higher after Hughes has overseen a complete revolution at Ewood over the last 12 months.

"There's no reason why we can't go for Europe," said Reid, whose wonder strike at the JJB was, amazingly, his first goal of the season.

"We are in the top 10 now and I think that's hopefully where we are going to stay, so why not look up and push on?

"I think the days of looking over our shoulders are gone.

"The manager has been different class in the time he has been here and the staff he's brought in, and the work we do on fitness, is all starting to pay off now.

"I think we've also upped the quality and we are looking like scoring in most games now, so things are looking up and we should be looking to kick on."

Reid was delighted with his goal of the season contender, which was his first since he netted in a 3-0 win over Southampton in April.

"I was delighted to get a goal and to get one like that was a bit special," said Reid.

"It's definitely up there in the top two or three best I've ever scored.

"It's been a long time coming and I think I need to start getting myself in those sort of positions a bit more often.

"Maybe I haven't been getting myself in those positions often enough to get the shots away, but that's what I am capable of when I do get in there and there's no reason why I can't get a few more of those this season."

Manager Mark Hughes was full of praise for Reid, not just because of his goal, for all his all-round performance.

"Steven Reid's goal was an outstanding strike and that's something that he's more than capable of doing," said Hughes.

"We've seen it time and again in training and it was only a matter of time before he actually produced it in a match.

"I thought both he and Robbie Savage were magnificent in the middle of the park and they showed great energy and desire.

"When Steven's driving forward, he's a great athlete but he possibly just needs a little bit more belief in his own ability. That's what has held him back in the past.

"But, after performances like today, and the quality of the goal he scored, I think that will happen."

Referring to Rovers' overall performance, Hughes added: "I thought we were in control for the whole game.

"Once we got our noses in front I was always confident we would see the game out, and in the second half we were exceptional.

"If there is a criticism then it is that we did not convert enough chances in the final third because, with a bit more care in those positions, I'm sure we would have won by an even greater margin.

"But today just showed what we are all about. We are a team that is striving to get into the top half of the table.

"I have said before, and I have felt for a number of weeks, that we are a top 10 side and once we get there we will stay there.

"On the basis of this performance, I think most people will agree with that."