Source: Team_Talk
Taylor is safe hands - McLeish
Alex McLeish is confident Birmingham are in safe hands with goalkeeper Maik Taylor coming in to face free-scoring Manchester City on Sunday.[LNB] England goalkeeper Joe Hart cannot play against his parent club so Taylor will come in for only his second Premier League appearance of the season - the 38-year-old's previous appearance came in November's reverse fixture at St Andrews which finished 0-0.[LNB]Manchester City are in red-hot form in front of goal after rattling six past Burnley last weekend and are in pursuit of the top-four place which would secure Champions League qualification for next season.[LNB]But Blues boss McLeish is confident Northern Ireland international Taylor will not let him down.[LNB]He said: "Maik is still a good pro. He does everything right and is still sharp.[LNB]"He is a quality goalkeeper and Northern Ireland will use him again next season and he has been very good for Joe Hart.[LNB]"I think in the beginning Maik might have seen it as a wee battle with a rookie goalkeeper with limited Premiership experience.[LNB]"But Maik is man enough and professional enough and intelligent enough to see Joe was making the position his own.[LNB]"As far as I am concerned, Joe is a cert to go to South Africa with England this summer.[LNB]"Whether he features or not we will have to see. But it will be a great experience for him.[LNB]"I remember going to the World Cup myself in the heady days when Scotland qualified.[LNB]"You get great experience and education from these tournaments."[LNB]For hispart, Taylor is looking forward to getting back into action even though it is likely to only be for 90 minutes as he is set to be back on the bench against Hull next weekend.[LNB]Taylor said: "I have played in the last three reserves games and it is nice to get a run out.[LNB]"You can train hard all week long but there is nothing like match practise.[LNB]"For decision making, and things like that, it is important that you get these games under your belt.[LNB]"I know that however I play, Joe will be back in next week and he deserves to be as he has had a fantastic season.[LNB]"It is just something you have to take on the chin."[LNB]With Roberto Mancini's Manchester City side leading the race to finish fourth, Birmingham look to have their work cut out.[LNB]But McLeish is adamant that his side will not be going there just to make up the numbers.[LNB]The former Scotland boss added: "It's a great challenge playing at Manchester City when you go up against multi-millionaires and players with household names.[LNB]"We are going up there with our little team as cannon-fodder but we have gone to other big grounds this season and given good accounts of ourselves."[LNB]Having held Liverpool to a draw at St Andrews last weekend, Birmingham head into their latest test in confident mood and with Liam Ridgewell revealing they want to end the season strongly.[LNB]Ridgewell, who grabbed the equaliser against Liverpool, said: "We have got to try and finish the season as high as we can.[LNB]"We are in a great position and have just got to try and catch Everton, who are above us, instead of looking backwards.[LNB]"People know we never say die and we have done it against the top sides as well and that has been the way it has been this season, especially at home.[LNB]"We have always believed in ourselves."[LNB]
