Big Eck bullish as Blues bash Boro

ALEX MCLEISH was in a bullish mood after watching Birmingham beat Middlesbrough 3-0 at St Andrews to chalk up their biggest win of the season.

The former Scotland manager made no secret of his unhappiness with the Blues’ tame performance in defeat at Bolton but he was encouraged by their determined response against Gareth Southgate’s men.

“At Bolton our performance was insipid but against Middlesbrough we got into their faces and it paid off,” said McLeish after a Stewart Downing own goal, a Mikael Forssell strike and Gary McSheffrey’s late penalty had clinched three welcome points.