RECORD signing Tokelo Rantie admitted his lack of goals for Cherries had become a burden but vowed to come good in the closing weeks of the campaign.

Despite making an impression with his lively approach play, the South Africa international striker has struggled to find the net with just three goals to show for his 26 league appearances, 13 as a substitute, since joining from Swedish club Malmo in August.

The diminutive 23-year-old came on as a second-half substitute in Tuesday 4-1 thrashing of Leeds but was twice denied one-on-one by visiting goalkeeper Jack Butland.

And after failing to add further gloss to Cherries’ imperious display, Rantie revealed the meagre return from his maiden voyage into English football had played on his mind while bearing down on goal.

However, Cherries’ high-profile signing insists he is ready to release the shackles of his opening season torment and prove his worth to boss Eddie Howe and his team-mates for providing support during his lean spell.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Rantie said: “The pressure is there. Wherever you go, you need to impress people and for me, being at a new club, I always feel the need to do well.

“I would say it all comes down to the fact I didn’t start well. I didn’t start scoring goals when I came here and it will always be in my mind until I start to score regularly.

“But I’m not in a position to start feeling sorry for myself, I need to stand up and rectify my mistakes.

“I feel like I am getting there. I have been creating chances and getting chances, the only thing left is for me to convert them.

“I’m not as relaxed as I would love to be, but I think I am getting to a position where I can feel confident in myself again.

“When I look back at the goals I scored before I came here, I would say 80 per cent of them were spectacular.

"I don’t remember scoring many easy goals and it all comes down to confidence. As soon as I get that, I believe I can start working wonders.

“Sometimes I believe that the support I am getting from people is way too massive. I feel blessed and I am very grateful but it comes to a point where I need to repay that faith, simple as that.

“I need to get back to doing what I do best, I have set targets and I want to do well in the coming games. Whenever I have the opportunity, I tell myself I must take responsibility to create or to score.”