Birmingham City FC

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• Founded:1875
• Manager:Alex McLeish

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McLeish hails spirited Gardner

14 Mar 2010 - 15:07:21

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Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish was full of praise for Craig Gardner after he scored his first goal for the club in the 2-2 draw with Everton at St Andrew's.

The 23-year-old January recruit from Aston Villa completed a superb comeback by the Blues, after the visitors had roared into a two-goal lead within 22 minutes of the start of the game on Saturday.

McLeish commented: "Hunger is a massive thing when you sign a player. It is very high on my list of priorities along with things like desire and determination and Craig has those qualities.

"We have seen a lot of brilliant talents in this life who are wasted talents because they don't have that fire like a lot of players who turn themselves into footballers and manufacture themselves into players who have long careers.

"I've seen Craig over a number of years. I've seen him play a lot of reserve games and fleetingly in Villa's first team and I know that Martin O'Neill liked him because he is versatile.

"I was pleased with him because he was ill on Friday and was a doubt to play. But I know the type of character he is. He's got a heart and he would want to play through injury or illness.

"That goal would have meant a lot to him. He is a Blues fan and anybody who is in any doubt about that will realise now he is a dyed-in-the-wool Blues fan."