Bosnian striker Elvir Bolic is backing countryman
Elvir Baljic to help struggling Primera Liga side Rayo Vallecano resurrect their season and avoid a drop to the Spanish second flight.
Baljic arrived at the Nuevo Vallecas on loan from Real Madrid last week after finding it impossible to break into the first team of the Spanish champions, but the Bosnian 27-year old was able to immediately contribut to Vallecano’s cause, appearing as a second-half substitute in the side’s 3-0 victory over Malaga at the weekend, and his namesake feels the former Fenerbahce striker is ready for a starting role against Real Betis on Sunday.
"He is still not 100 per cent ready, but it's good for him to start playing," Bolic said.
"If I can judge his position in the squad, I think he could start the next game," Bolic declared.
"We would be playing together. I have talked to the coach about it and he said that was his intention from the beginning."
Vallecano coach Gregorio Manzano, who replaced Andoni Goikoetxea earlier this season, is desperate to turn around the Madrid club’s fortunes after inheriting a side sitting dead last in the table.
And the former Racing Santander coach seems to have begun the process of rejuvenating Vallecan, guiding his side to three home wins in a row, one a 2-1 victory over leaders Deportivo.
"We now have a good chance of surviving in the Primera," predicted Bolic.
"We are playing a lot better and winning; that is the important thing for Rayo."
A win this weekend against Real Betis could lift last season’s UEFA Cup quarterfinalists off the bottom of the Liga for the first time in the new campaign.
"We had a really bad start, but now we are back," said Bolic.
"We have won our last three home games and I believe with Baljic and me we can climb the table."