Ziggy plays the star as Birmingham’s beanpole stands tall
Zigic struggled to make an impact after his £6million summer move from Valencia and was held up to ridicule and regarded as a laughing stock by some Blues fans.
But he followed up his winner against West Ham last weekend with an injury-time decider against Stoke at St Andrew’s on Saturday as he netted for the third successive match.
It enabled Birmingham to seal back-to-back league wins for the first time in 14 months.
City defender Liam Ridgewell said: “It is difficult when people are talking about you and there are bits and bobs being said.
“But ‘Ziggy’ has kept focused on what he needs to do and is getting his rewards at the moment.
“It might have affected some people. It has affected bigger players before, that sort of thing.
“It shows how broad his shoulders are and how mature and good a player he is.”
Birmingham were ready to use every means to gain an advantage against Stoke, and even decided pre-match that the advertising hoardings should be moved closer to the touchlines, in a blatant attempt to negate the long-throw bombs of Rory Delap.
The Irishman was still causing problems though, and in the first half Robert Huth was just too high with a header from a long Delap throw.
Ultimately, Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, so often praised, proved the Potters’ weak link.
In the final minute, he spilled David Bentley’s shot before Cameron Jerome pounced on the loose ball and centred for Zigic to head home.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis said: “We have played Birmingham on their ground and I am not sure Asmir has had a real shot to save in the 90 minutes.
“We are devastated to have got nothing out of that game.
“I didn’t think we deserved to lose the game. It’s always a tough game coming to Birmingham.
“But you have to play the time out. There were three minutes added on and I think they scored in the 93rd minute.”
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