Hughton: Rooney has big chance at Blues

BIRMINGHAM CITY boss Chris Hughton says Irish striker Adam Rooney “has a great opportunity” with Blues but he can thank the manager of bitter rivals Aston Villa for his chance to play in the Championship.

Before Alex McLeish jumped ship to Villa, the former Scotland manager had the Dubliner watched at Inverness Caledonian Thistle and wanted to bring him to St Andrew’s.

New manager Hughton had seen Rooney in action and followed the recommendations of McLeish’s scouting team making the 23-year-old his first signing for City.