Matt Derbyshire has expressed his determination to succeed for Birmingham after scoring twice at Millwall.
Birmingham striker buoyed by weekend brace
Matt Derbyshire has expressed his determination to succeed for Birmingham after scoring twice against Millwall at the weekend.
The striker had been granted limited opportunities prior to Saturday's FA Cup clash but provided Alex McLeish with a timely reminder of his qualities.
Derbyshire's two goals helped Blues seal a 4-1 success and he is now firmly in contention for the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at West Ham on Tuesday night.
Having arrived at St Andrews on loan from Olympiakos last summer, the 24-year-old admits he had become frustrated with the lack of playing time.
However, he is now looking to push on and make the most of any further chances that may come along.
"It's been very difficult for me. I won't lie to you," said the former Blackburn man.
"I haven't been given a massive opportunity at Birmingham City so far.
"I was obviously thinking 'is this the right place for me at the moment?'
"But hopefully this can be the start of things to come for me back in England.
"The manager told me to be patient and that my opportunity will come - which it has done.
"I still believed in what I can do and my head never dropped and I never spat my dummy out.
"I've worked hard on the training ground and waited for my opportunity to come. To score two goals and win at the weekend was massive."
Buzzing
Derbyshire was in the Blackburn team which lost a League Cup semi-final to Manchester United but he is confident of going one step further with Birmingham.
He said: "Manchester United were the favourites last time I played in the semi-finals but this is a 50-50 shot.
"If I looked around both dressing rooms, I know which dressing room I'd rather be in and that's Birmingham City's.
"The lads are buzzing about this tie. It's a chance to pick up a trophy, a very good chance to pick up a trophy.
"Teams may never get this opportunity again so you have to grasp it with both hands and go and play your normal game."
