VLASIC IS WELL USED TO VYING FOR ATTENTION WITH BIGGEST NAMES

EVERTON’S Nikola Vlasic was never going to be overawed by playing alongside a legend like Wayne Rooney — his sister has been the biggest female track and athlete star in the world.

Statuesque world champion high jumper Blanka Vlasic gave her sport mass appeal in the same way Maria Sharapova did for tennis and it has helped her younger year-old brother learn to cope with all the attention that comes with being a Premier League footballer.

‘When I was a kid they always said he’s the brother of Blanka Vlasic and that was a little annoying,’ admits the 19-year-old.

‘I didn’t want just to be the brother of some girl. I wanted her to be my sister.

‘When I started to play for Hajduk Split I had my own name, I didn’t feel I was only her brother.

‘She knows all about being a superstar and also about when you’re down and when you need to struggle.

‘She gives me advice all the time. When things are bad she’s there to help me and when things are good she’s there to keep my feet on the ground. I’m very grateful to her. FRATERNALLY YOURS: Vlasic has a famous sister

‘Neither of us could stand to lose when we were little. We’d both cry. Now you realise it is part of sport.’

Blanka, who is 6ft 3in tall, has twice been world champion and also won two Olympic medals, following in a line of sporting greats from the Croatian city of Split that includes Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic.

Now she is passing on the family baton to Nikola, who is pushing for a start against Burnley today after coming off the bench to score in midweek against Apollon Limassol in the Europa League.

Everton’s form has gone off the boil since then, though two goals from Oumar Niasse gave them a muchneeded win against Bournemouth last week.