Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has backed central defensive duo Roger Johnson and Scott Dann for England.
Birmingham boss backs Johnson and Dann for Three Lions
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has backed central defensive duo Roger Johnson and Scott Dann for England.
The pair helped to keep Chelsea at bay at the weekend and McLeish believes they should be given serious consideration by England boss Fabio Capello.
He believes other managers are singing the praises of their players and it is about time he did the same, especially for Johnson.
McLeish told the
Birmingham Mail: "I think we are a bit unfashionable as a club and that is probably a factor (why they have been ignored).
"But the two boys have been absolutely magnificent. Roger, at the age of 27, is a wee bit ahead of Scott in terms of his experience.
"Scotty is turning heads with his performances because he is young, 22, and there is potential there.
"I think Roger deserves to at least have a shout of competing with the other ten or however many guys it is who are being touted for England.
Flew flag
"It's about time I flew the flag for him as he's as good, if not better, than any of them.
"I haven't had any contact with Fabio and they have been to plenty of games.
"I would never tell a manager who to pick but I am just backing our boy and he deserves at least a mention.
"People talk about people like Gary Cahill, rightly so, and Owen Coyle is extolling his virtues. I'm going to do that about Roger now."
McLeish added he has told Johnson to keep working hard and putting in consistent performances for the Blues.
"He is very vocal about not being picked. He says 'what have I got to do gaffer'?" said McLeish.
"He feels it's passing him by a little bit and he's so passionate about playing for England.
Consistency
"I've said to him that you cannot let your guard down, keep playing to the consistency and make sure you are in my team and don't look beyond that. If it happens, it happens.
"He and Scotty have formed a brilliant partnership, they have been very consistent. I say why not the both of them?
"Hopefully we can go up the league a bit and maybe we will be recognised more."
The former Scotland boss added he once asked Johnson to pledge his allegiance north of the border but got short-shrift.
"I asked Roger to play for Scotland, not when I was manager. He said 'no chance'," said the Blues boss, adding it would come as no surprise if bigger clubs were to express an interest in the pair.
"It wouldn't surprise me but at the end of the day I would be happy with that because it would mean we are doing well."
