Birmingham City FC

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• Founded:1875
• Manager:Alex McLeish

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Hart handed McLeish warning

27 Jun 2009 - 11:06:23

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Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has warned loan signing Joe Hart that he is not guaranteed a starting spot with the Premier League new boys.

The 22-year-old has joined the Blues on a season-long loan from Manchester City, having found first-team opportunities limited at Eastlands following the January arrival of Shay Given.

However, McLeish has told Hart that he will face stiff competition from Maik Taylor at St Andrew's.

He told the club's official website: "Joe comes in and it will be a fantastic competition between him and Maik, two great goalkeepers.

"He obviously hasn't come in to sit on the bench, but I am not making any guarantees, it's as simple as that.

"We have to see how the lads do and how the competition affects them. I'm sure the two of them will handle it, being part of the goalkeepers' union.

"Joe lost his place to Shay Given last season and probably felt a little hard done by, but he got on with it, didn't hold any grudges with Shay. In fact I think the two of them are great pals.

"It's just one of these things that happen in football and you have to deal with it mentally, as well as the physical side of things."