Everton FC and Croatia player, Nikica Jelavic
DAVID MOYES will reap further rewards for his transfer bravery – after he was the only Premier League manager willing to take a risk on Nikica Jelavic, says Scotland boss Craig Levein.
Levein was not surprised by the goal-scoring prowess of Jelavic at Everton last season, given his prolific 18 months with Rangers.
The former Rapid Vienna forward continued that form by scoring 11 goals in 16 appearances for the Toffees following his £5.5m January transfer.
And Levein – who watched the 26-year-old score during Croatia’s 3-1 Euro 2012 win over Ireland on Sunday – praised Moyes for taking a chance with Jelavic, although he did not see much risk in the signing.
He said: “The thing about David Moyes is he does take a chance on players. He took a chance when other people sat on the sidelines.
“We had phone calls from a few English managers asking about him.”
Levein believes other managers in England, including former Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, were mistaken to decide against pursuing the Croatian.
“I think at Rangers Jelavic was probably more affected than most by the troubles off the field,” he said.
“His last two or three months weren’t great, I think he had kind of switched off by then. But prior to that he was excellent.
* Read more: Everton FC striker Nikica Jelavic ‘heartbroken’ by former club Rangers’ financial meltdown
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