Zigic: New spirit can save Blues

WEMBLEY hero Nikola Zigic believes the positive response by Birmingham City’s players to new boss Garry Monk can steer them to safety.

The 37-year-old striker, whose netted against Arsenal when Blues won the 2011 League Cup, says the St Andrew’s can take heart from their previous escapes from the drop in the Championship.

The former £6 million record signing, now living in Spain, was also part of Blues’ last-day survival against Bolton four years ago.

He stressed the fans will have their part to play, especially with home games against Sheffield United on Saturday and Fulham on the final day on May 6, sandwiching a trip to QPR next week.

“I’ve watched this season closely and it’s like ‘what has happened?’” Zigic told the Blues website.

“It’s been very tough and it’s ended up like last year, it all comes down to these games.

“I think that with the new manager the players have responded and they can do it.

“It’s like Bolton (in 2014) and Bristol, isn’t it? Birmingham did it then and then can do it again.

“A lot is about the mentality and the determination of the players – and the fans play a big part of course.

“It makes a difference when they are all behind the lads at St Andrew’s. The atmosphere can be fantastic and I have friends who have told me it has been like that in recent games. And then there was so many who went to Bolton again – wow! That’s what Birmingham fans are like and the players can feed from it.”

Zigic, who scored 36 goals in 159 appearances for Blues, added: “I think this manager is good, he needs to stay around, and it will be all right this season.

“We all know what the Championship is like. It is a crazy league, very hard.

“You have to believe in yourself when it comes down to situations like this and we have done it before.”