Phillips hopes McLeish signs

Blues frontman keen to see coach stay

Last updated: 2nd September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Phillips hopes McLeish signs

Phillips: Impressed by signings

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Veteran frontman Kevin Phillips is confident Alex McLeish will sign a contract extension at Birmingham.

The Blues have been in talks with their Scottish coach for some time, with no agreement put in place.

Reports on Thursday suggested those discussions could be about to break down, with rumours of an in-house rift between manager and board doing the rounds.

That speculation has since been dashed by the club's vice-chairman Peter Pannu, who claims a deal is imminent.

Phillips, who was taken to St Andrews by McLeish, hopes that proves to be the case as he feels the former Rangers boss has worked 'miracles' at Birmingham.

He told Sky Sports News: "That's a board situation, but from a player point of view, I know that every player at the club wants the manager to stay.

"He is a fantastic manager and he has worked miracles here, getting us out of the Championship, helping us finish ninth in the Premiership in our first season, help us get off to the fantastic start which we have done this season and the signings we have made. Everything is in place.

"We all know that contracts take a while to sort out, but I'm sure that over the next week or so the gaffer will have it sorted. The manager has done a fantastic job and I'm sure he will get it sorted."

Unbelievable

Birmingham's transfer business this summer has caught the eye and Phillips admits he cannot wait to line up alongside the likes of Ben Foster, Nikola Zigic and Alexander Hleb.

"I have been very impressed," he said on the summer arrivals.

"The manager has pulled off some unbelievable business. To persuade Alexander Hleb to come to Birmingham is fantastic and it can only be good for the club.

"As players, it's great for us as well because we want to see world-class players come to the club. We are all looking forward to the next game. We are a bit frustrated we have got a gap now because we all want to see them in action."

While frustrated to have seen the Premier League take an international break, the time off could help Phillips in his efforts to rebuild his match fitness following a thigh injury.

"I turned 37 in the summer and I'm now doing my second pre-season training, which I don't need at my age!" he joked.

"But I am on the mend now, I'm not too far away, I am getting plenty of running in.

"With the signings we have made, I want to be on the football pitch as quickly as I can because I want to be training with these quality players. It's frustrating to be out but it won't be long until I'm back."

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