Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek is thrilled with the form this season of Atalanta midfielder Josip Ilicic.

Ilicic has emerged as one of top performers in European football - and Kek says his emergence has lifted the profile of Slovenian football.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Now he's simply devastating, thanks to him Slovenian football is more famous.

"I am a lucky coach: in front of me I have Josip, in goal (Jan) Oblak, the best in the world. They are our stars, leaders who drag the younger ones.

"Ilicic has discovered the joy of playing: he has fun on the field and is in able to excite the public. Seeing him is a pleasure for the eyes: he has spectacular body language.

"If he has reached this status, the merit is also of (Atalanta coach Gian Piero) Gasperini: Josip feels free, so he's exploded."