Silverware on McLeish´s mind

Alex McLeish is gunning for his first trophy in English football ahead of Birmingham’s Carling Cup semi-final against West Ham on Tuesday.

Birmingham must beat English Premier League strugglers West Ham over two legs to book a place in the final at Wembley Stadium.

McLeish has two Scottish Premier League titles and two Scottish Cups to his name as a manager, together with a glut of prizes from his playing days with Aberdeen.

But the 51-year-old is keen to add some English silverware to his list of accomplishments as he begins his fourth year in management outside of Scotland.

“We would love to go to there and win,” McLeish said about the first leg at Upton Park.

“We have the capability to win it and try and be tactically right for the game.”

“I’ve had a lot of success in Scotland … it would be nice to get to an English cup final. We have got the numbers and players who came in at the weekend and did well.”

“We will do our very best to see a smile on their (the fans’) faces.”

McLeish has enjoyed the congested fixture list of late, but would prefer to be higher than 15th place going into the second half of the season.

“It is quite exciting – there is a lot of pressure there,” he said.

“We would like to be six or more points up the table.”

Birmingham did not pick up any injuries in Saturday’s FA Cup win over Millwall, but midfielder Lee Bowyer will not play against former club West Ham due to suspension.

McLeish is working hard to strengthen his squad, with Tottenham’s David Bentley likely to join after undergoing a medical of Monday.

Rangers striker Kenny Miller is fast becoming the subject of a tug of war between Birmingham and Fiorentina.

The English club have lodged a higher bid for the former Wolves and Derby man’s services, but Fiorentina are understood to have offered significantly better personal terms.

“We have an agreement with Rangers,” McLeish said.

“He is torn about coming to the Premier League or Italy. His agent has been in America and it has been difficult to speak to him.”