Black backs McLeish to take Blues’ reins

ERIC BLACK has thrown his weight behind Alex McLeish’s bid to become the new manager of Birmingham City.

Black, who is in temporary charge at St Andrews following the departure of Steve Bruce last week, could hardly have been more effusive in his praise of McLeish, who is now the bookmakers’ favourite to take over in the midlands.

“Alex is obviously an experienced manager,” Black said, a one-time team-mate of the former Rangers and current Scotland manager.

“I played with him for six years (at Aberdeen) and he is a good friend. If Birmingham are looking at that quality of manager they won’t go far wrong.”

Cynics might argue that, after such an abject performance by Birmingham on Saturday, Black could be forgiven for putting Bob the Builder in the frame to become the club’s next manager if it meant not getting the job himself.

The display, coupled with the backstage chaos at St Andrews caused by Bruce’s exit, and the saga of what appears to be the increasingly unlikely takeover of the club by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung, suggests the position is the proverbial poisoned chalice. Nevertheless, Black admits he would jump at the chance to kick-start his career as a number one.

“I was obviously happy to have the opportunity to take the team today and will give everything I have got,” he added. “I’ve not been told anything, so I will carry on doing what I do. I look forward now to playing at Tottenham next weekend and start work again on Monday.”

Black, though, did his prospects of becoming only the club’s fourth manager in 14 years few favours with his decision to give goalkeeper Richard Kingson his Premier League debut at the expense of the more experienced Maik Taylor exposed as hopelessly ill-judged.

Kingson allowed what appeared to be an innocuous shot from Sulley Muntari wriggle free from his grasp and cross the line shortly before half-time, with Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar sealing victory with eight minutes remaining with a spectacular free-kick.

BIRMINGHAM (4-4-2): Kingson 5, Kelly 6, Djourou 7, Ridgewell 7, Schmitz 5, De Ridder 4, Muamba 5, Nafti 6, McSheffrey 5 (O’Connor 74, 5), Kapo 5, Forssell 6.

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Queudrue, Parnaby, Larsson.

PORTSMOUTH (4-5-1): James 7, Johnson 6, Campbell 7, Distin 8, Pamarot 7, Utaka 5 (Taylor 81, 5), Diop 8, Davis 7, Muntari 6, Kranjcar 7, Benjani 5.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Mendes, Nugent.

REFEREE: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire) 6: Annoyed the home fans by refusing to award Birmingham a penalty for Pamarot’s tackle on Ridgewell.

MATCH RATING: ** Pompey just go from strength to strength, although they were made to sweat by a dogged Birmingham.