McLeish praise for matchwinner Zigic

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish hailed the influence of big striker Nikola Zigic, who scored his second crucial goal in a week for the St Andrews club.

After scoring the winner against West Ham at Upton Park last Sunday, Zigic bobbed up again on Saturday, with a 90th-minute header lifting his side to a 1-0 English Premier League win over Stoke.

McLeish said after taking his time to settle in England after his move from Valencia prior to the season, the 202cm Serbian was becoming an integral part of the side.

“If you get the right balls to him, that’s what he can do,” McLeish said.

“When I see the pictures again to see him towering above John Carew, who looks almost small next to Zigic, it’s quite amazing.”

“The big fella’s jumped above the crossbar to head it down into the net, but it’s a wonderful three points for us.”

McLeish believes the win was just reward for his side, who he said had worked tirelessly to secure the all three points.

“It was great to see the goal go in in the last few seconds. We fought every minute of the way again, persevered right until the very end and concentrated,” he said.

“We stuck to it in the last couple of weeks and taken six magnificent points and we hope that can allow us to kick on into the next Premier League game and of course the (Carling) cup final (against Arsenal on February 27) will take care of itself.”

In contrast, Stoke boss Tony Pulis was disappointed with the manner in which his side conceded, particularly with the handling error by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic that led to Zigic’s goal.

“It’s hard to take in respect that I couldn’t see them scoring to be honest. I didn’t think that during the 93 minutes that we played, there was ever an occasion where they were going to score,” Pulis said.

“It (the goal) had nothing to do with Zigic. Asmir really should collect that ball. It’s come out of his hands. It’s our fault but Asmir has come in and held his hand up. From there on in we were in trouble.”

“But really, (David) Bentley shoots from the edge of the box and it should go straight to Asmir. Unfortunately the kid hasn’t held it, and then we’re in trouble.”