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Ex-West Ham, Everton defender Bilic: Maybe Jelavic will regret it if he doesn't leave Rangers

Croatia national team boss Slaven Bilic is not too concerned about where Nikica Jelavic plays but he feels he may regret the decision not to leave Rangers this winter.

The 26-year old striker, who could lead Croatia's attack at next summer's European Championships, is being targeted by a number of Premier League clubs in the January transfer window but continues to state his intent to remain at Ibrox.

Bilic is calm about where Jelavic ends up but says he may rue the fact if he stays with 'Gers as it could be a great opportunity to play at a higher level.

"Maybe Nikica thinks - and I'm saying this theoretically - that he's going to be frustrated if he doesn't take the chance to move on now," the former Hajduk Split, Everton and West Ham United defender said.

"Maybe he'll end up asking himself, 'Why didn't I try a higher level when I had the chance?'

"But I'm very calm about it and I'm sure Nikica is too because whatever he does he can't lose.

"If he stays with Rangers, he's at a massive club in a good league. He'll continue to play and score goals. If he decides to move on then he'll get a new challenge.

"People may say that if he moves to England then maybe his confidence might suffer if he is not scoring goals so easily.

"But the main thing is that he is happy, playing and scoring goals. That way he feels good in his head, he is high on confidence and he can bring that to Croatia."

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Andrew Slevison
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