Eck Haunted By O'Neill Record

Apr 20 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

Aston Villa V Birmingham Today, Kick-Off 12pm

ALEX McLEISH had the edge over old foe Martin O'Neill in the SPL but the Birmingham boss admits he's still embarrassed by his record of seven straight defeats against Celtic.

Blues gaffer Eck faces the Irishman for the first time in a Midlands derby today - three years after their last battle as Old Firm managers.

McLeish is battling for Premiership survival while O'Neill's Aston Villa are chasing a European spot.

Big Eck won more trophies at Ibrox than his opposite number at Celtic Park but he'll never forget the nightmare spell when Gers couldn't buy a win against their biggest rivals.

He said: "I probably had the better of games between us. But Martin can say they had a record seven-game winning streak against us.

"At a club like Rangers that's a killer. It's embarrassing.

"But yes, I was undefeated in my first seven Old Firm derbies against him.

"That was great considering Martin was wiping the floor with Dick Advocaat's team before I arrived.

"We had some fantastic exchanges and Rangers did well just to compete with that terrific Celtic team."

McLeish and O'Neill both admit it was hard to have a friendly relationship in Glasgow. But it seems to be different in Brum as Eck found out a few months ago.

He said: "It's difficult to be bosom buddies at the Old Firm. The game is all consuming.

"But I met Martin on a train recently going to a transfer tribunal. We had a good laugh and he was coming out with his old Nottingham Forest stories.

"When you meet his assistants John Robertson and Steve Walford you realise we have similar senses of humour."

O'Neill admits he'd like to get to know McLeish better after rarely getting to chat in Glasgow.

The ex-Celtic boss said: "We haven't gone out yet but I don't think Alex signed for Birmingham so he could have dinner with me!

"It would be nice to speak to Alex on a social basis but it's not my top priority. I have a lot of admiration for him because we both managed big clubs in Scotland."