Big Eck hoping to fulfil ambitions at Birmingham

Published on Friday 25 February 2011 11:37

Alex McLEISH wants to satisfy his desire for success in football with Birmingham - starting with Sunday's Carling Cup final with Arsenal at Wembley.

McLeish has won 19 trophies as a player and manager in Scotland but is eager to lift his first silverware south of the border against the Gunners.

He makes no secret of his ambitions to succeed in the game but hopes they can be realised at St Andrew's.

He said: "I'm as ambitious as the next man and you keep doing your best.

"If it means a player is doing really well, and someone is interested in him, then I'm happy for that to happen.

"It's the same for me as a manager, the same for my staff. If one of my staff excels, the sports science guy or someone, then another big club might take him.

"I don't stand in the way of people's progress. I'd like to progress but I'd like to do that with Birmingham. Arsenal haven't won a trophy for six years but we haven't had won one for 48 years."

McLeish has spoken with his mentor Sir Alex Ferguson during the build-up to the final. He said: "we're on the phone sometimes because managers get some free time mid-afternoon and you phone up your pals. We've spoken this week."