Bruce banking on strikers

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is banking on his two strikers, Clinton Morrison and Stern John, playing a key role in helping the team extend their unbeaten run to five games at Middlesbrough tomorrow.

Bruce has been delighted with the form of both Republic of Ireland international Morrison and Trinidad and Tobago ace John.

“Morrison will score at any level in which he plays,” said Bruce.

“He is one of those people who come alive in the box.

“I never had any doubts that he would score goals and we are now beginning to see the real Clinton Morrison after his three goals in the last two games.

“Stern John’s performances have been excellent. I have been absolutely delighted with him. I know he has only scored one goal but they will come.

“You are only as good as your strikers but in John and Morrison I believe I have two of the best.

“I am confident in Stern’s ability, he will make a big hit.

“A number of managers after games who have come up and said what a good player he is and that they didn’t think he was technically that good.”

But there is little doubt that both Morrison and John will be compared with Middlesbrough’s Italian striker, Massimo Maccarone, who attracted Birmingham’s interest during the summer before he joined the Riverside Stadium outfit for £8.15m (€12.9).

Bruce admitted: “We did fly to Italy during the summer but never made a bid as Clinton Morrison was always my first choice.”

Despite Birmingham’s impressive start to the season, which has even taken them above Manchester United in the Premiership, Bruce is not allowing himself to get carried away.

Bruce fully appreciates that there is still a long way to go.

Confidence in the Birmingham camp was boosted with their 3-0 home win over arch rivals Aston Villa on Monday.

“The result on Monday was great and fabulous for everyone concerned,” said Bruce.

“But as I said that elation lasts 10 minutes.

“It was three points and helps in our quest to remain in the Premiership. But there is still a long way to go.

“It has given us a belief that we can play at this level. We know that we have to be at our maximum every week to compete with other teams.”

Bruce is fully aware that Birmingham face a hard task at Middlesbrough.

He said: “The report I have had from Middlesbrough is that they are playing very well.

“They are a very attack-minded team. We are under no illusions. They have spent a lot of money in the summer and got some very good players in.

“It’s going to be another difficult game for us but, then again, they all are.”

Birmingham include Jovan Kirovski for Bryan Hughes in their squad and it is possible that he will make his first Premiership appearance after scoring three goals in the reserves earlier this week.