Birmingham City striker Nikola Zigic has insisted the team comes first – not personal plaudits.
And the striker, whose four goals downed Leeds United to hoist Blues to within sight of the Championship summit, revealed why he didn’t move on during the transfer window.
Zigic became the first Blues player since Kenny Burns in 1976 to score a quadruple in a match.
He collected them all at Elland Road in the 4-1 victory that took Blues to fourth place and on the shoulder of leaders West Ham United and Southampton, who visit St Andrew’s on Saturday.
He said: “I think we played very well. The four goals is the work of the whole team.
“I was very happy we got the points and that I scored. But it’s my job. I want to give the credit to our team. It’s about the team.
“It’s a very hard place to play, a tough stadium, and we won 4-1.
“We now want to keep working at our jobs, stay in a good way and we will try and give our best effort for the rest of the season – then who knows?”
Zigic was available for loan last month. But despite interest from clubs abroad in Spain and Italy nothing came to fruition.
That suited the 31-year-old, who was quite candid about his Blues’ status.
“I am very happy in Birmingham. From the first day here, me and my family have been very happy,’’ he said.
“I have said every time when I have been asked that if a good offer came in that was right for the club and me, then we could talk. I was always available to talk.
“But I never wanted to put myself first in the first place. If it was good for me but not the club, then no.”
