Manchester United boss Ferguson hails 'marvellous' McLeish at Birmingham

06 January 2010 14:15
Heaped praise: United boss Sir Alex Ferguson[LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson insists Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has proved running a successful club in the Barclays Premier League is not all about money.[LNB]The Manchester United boss believes McLeish has done a 'marvellous' job guiding City to eighth in the table considering the lack of funds at St Andrews.[LNB]Birmingham are now unbeaten in 11 top-flight games and have not lost since losing to United on the opening day of the season.[LNB]It is a remarkable run considering it is their first season back in the top flight after finishing runners-up to Wolves in the Championship last season.[LNB]McLeish, who played under Ferguson during his trophy-laden spell at Aberdeen, has turned things around after arriving as manager in November 2007.[LNB]The Scot shrugged off the disappointment of relegation in his first season to steer the club straight back up again.[LNB]And Ferguson says McLeish should be proud of his achievements after making some shewed signings in Barry Ferguson and Roger Johnson this season.[LNB]Speaking ahead of United's visit to St Andrews in the Premier League on Saturday, Ferguson said: 'Alex McLeish has done a fantastic job. He only had a small amount of money to budget with when they came into the Premier League.[LNB] Inspired signing: Barry Ferguson has helped propel Birmingham City to eighth[LNB]'He brought Barry Ferguson down from Rangers and brought in the centre-halffrom Cardiff (Roger Johnson).[LNB]'He has used players who have been there for a long time now. What he has done has been marvellous.[LNB]'They are now eighth in the league and have gone 11 games without defeat.[LNB]'It tells you that Birmingham had to improve as a team from last season. They have done that remarkably well.'[LNB] Birmingham lining up move for Celtic's £10m-rated Aiden McGeady EXCLUSIVE: Birmingham City target Ryan Babel wants to be a winner at Liverpool BIRMINGHAM CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail