McLeish: I'll be suicidal if Birmingham are relegated

May 11 2008

ANXIOUS Alex McLeish has no regrets about joining Birmingham City - but admits he'll feel SUICIDAL if they are relegated from the Premiership today.

The former Rangers boss gave up the Scotland job to try his luck in England but has failed to get the St Andrews strugglers out of trouble.

They could be heading for the Championship this afternoon if they fail to beat Blackburn or other results go against them.

But Eck said: "I have no regrets about leaving the Scotland job.

"I looked at every scenario when I left and people told me this was going to be a hard job.

"But how can you be sure of the future going to any new club? If the worst was to happen, I still have a long-term plan here. You don't build a team overnight.

"My reasons for coming to City are still as valid as when I arrived.

"I wanted day-to-day contact with football again and didn't wonder if it would be harmful to my career.

"Do I suffer anxiety? Absolutely, I'm only human - I'm not a machine.

"I have my private time when I feel like jumping off the nearest bridge. If things don't go right in this vital match, I'll feel like that.

"I could be a hero or people could be saying I was never the right man for the job and it was a bad decision. Then I am a zero - it's a fine line."

Despite signing the likes of Scotland striker James McFadden and Hibs fullback David Murphy, McLeish bemoaned his side's lack of belief.

He said: "We all have a degree in retrospect, even Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Some of what has gone wrong is down to the vulnerability in confidence among a few of the players.

"People won't judge this as my team until I have put my stamp on it. But I would never say these aren't my players because they've run through walls for me."