Jelavic targeting Euro football

Everton signing Nikica Jelavic believes his new club could qualify for Europe this season.

The Merseyside club are in 10th place in the English Premier League, 11 points behind Arsenal who are in fifth, which would see them into the Europa League.

Jelavic was a prolific goalscorer in the Scottish Premier League and he believes he could be the missing piece in Everton’s misfiring forward set-up.

“Why not Europe this season? We have a team capable of getting into Europe and my big hope is that we can do it,” Jelavic told The Daily Star.

“From my point of view I hope that my goals can help them get there. I will be doing my best to get as many goals as I can.”

“There are good players here at Everton and I think we deserve a better position in the league. I aim to help Everton do just that.”

Jelavic knows a lot will be expected of him from the Everton fans following his big money move and the reputation he forged for himself north of the border.

He believes his experience in the SPL will stand him in good stead for the Premier League.

“It is a step up and I know I need to be better. But I learnt a lot in Scotland and that helped me a lot as a player,” he said.

“There are a lot of difficult games in Scotland and it is always 100 percent. It is just that sometimes maybe the quality is not as high as in England. I know I will need to be better, but I am ready. I am used to challenges and I just can’t wait to get on to the pitch and go for goals.”

“There is always pressure but I look on it as a challenge. I know everybody will be expecting good things from me. I am ready.”

“I see that as more of a challenge to myself – not pressure. I am motivated to show that I deserve to be here and to play.”