Bilic sees net gains by starting Jelavic

Slaven Bilic has neglected to ape Giovanni Trapattoni by naming his team in advance of Sunday’s Group C opener against Ireland in Poznan but it now seems certain the Croatian coach will ask Everton’s Nikica Jelavic to spearhead his attack.

The 26-year-old has scored goals with an impressive frequency throughout his career — 27 in 44 for Rapid Vienna and 30 in 41 for Rangers — but it is only since his switch to Merseyside that his stock has soared to spectacular levels.

Jelavic’s ratio is less notable in the red, white and blue colours of his country but his importance to the national team has mushroomed since news broke earlier in the week that Bayern Munich’s Ivica Olic was ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury.