Source: Team_Talk
Zigic sets himself a tall order
irmingham's new 6ft 8in striker Nikola Zigic has set himself high standards after insisting he wants to be better than Peter Crouch.[LNB] Blues signed the Serbia international from Valencia on a four-year contract for around £6million this week.[LNB]The 29-year-old is one of the tallest players in world football and hopes to use Tottenham's Crouch, who is an inch shorter, as a role model for his first season in the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]"I play the way I play. The fact I am this tall is an advantage," said Zigic, who will play for his country at next month's World Cup.[LNB]"You could say I am similar to Peter Crouch but I aim to be better than Peter, maybe use my height a little bit better.[LNB]"I am determined to use my physique to the advantage of the club."[LNB]Zigic has spent the last four years in Spain with Racing Santander and Valencia but is keen to test himself in English football having watched from a distance.[LNB]"I am absolutely delighted to be at Birmingham. Playing in the Premier League is something I have always wanted to do," he said.[LNB]"It will be a super experience and I'm thoroughly looking forward to it.[LNB]"I've been watching the Premier League or many years, it's something I've always followed and kept up to date with.[LNB]"What really swayed me to join Birmingham was the potential of playing for such a big club in the Premier League and the potential of playing in Europe and it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down.[LNB]"I am delighted to get the deal done so quickly."[LNB]Zigic is manager Alex McLeish's third signing since the end of the season, following Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster and midfielder Enric Valles, a free agent after two seasons at NAC Breda.[LNB]The Blues boss believes, like Crouch, there is more to the player's game than just his height.[LNB]"I've heard through the grapevine he calls Peter Crouch 'wee man'," he joked.[LNB]"He is certainly a big lad and I'm sure he could have a career in basketball.[LNB]"But despite his height he's a good footballer, he brings other people into play and I spoke to Serbia coach Radi Antic and he said he was a fantastic team player.[LNB]"I've seen him for a number of years and spoken to some friends in Belgrade who knew him well and knew his character. Seeing what he did at Santander I hope he can do the same at Birmingham.[LNB]"I hope he has an outstanding World Cup and comes back injury-free.[LNB]"He is a well-known player in world football and I think he will do well at Birmingham."[LNB]McLeish also thanked the board and owner Carson Yeung for providing the funds to get his squad strengthening under way early.[LNB]"The board have been tremendous and Carson Yeung has been fantastic," he told Blues Player.[LNB]"The board have fully backed the request for improvements in the squad and we are looking at other situations.[LNB]"We are still working on one or two players who are out of contract.[LNB]"It is about squads nowadays and I'm sure everyone will play a part."
