James McFadden and David Murphy arrive at Blues

Jan 18 2008 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

JAMES McFadden checked into Blues insisting that the decision to leave Everton was an easy one.

The forward, cost an initial £5 million, revealed that a loan transfer to Celtic had been rejected before Blues boss Alex McLeish made his move.

"It was not a hard decision at all," said McFadden, at his official unveiling at St Andrew's this afternoon.

"As soon as the manager showed he was interested, and showed the levels of commitment he did, it was an easy decision.

"There was some other interest. Celtic tried to take me on loan before the window open and the manager at Everton rejected it so that was the end of that.

"I'm just delighted to be here at Birmingham, I'm excited and really looking forward to it."

Everton are gunning for the Champions League, have the second leg of their League Cup semi-final against Chelsea next week and are progressing in the UEFA Cup.

McFadden has left that behind to roll his sleeves up for Blues in a relegation dogfight.

He shrugged: "I never even thought about it to be honest.

"Obviously it's a relegation battle we're in, but a few wins and you pull clear then you can enjoy it and try and climb further up the table.

"That's part of the challenge. I have maybe swapped a fight to get into the Champions League for a relegation scrap. But I would rather play every week, even if it means a relegation fight, than be bit-part player for Everton."

McFadden, who expects to be among the substitutes tomorrow when Blues entertain Chelsea at St Andrew's, admitted that McLeish was a big influencing factor.

"I have worked with him before and I know what to expect.

"He seemed to get the best out of me when I played for Scotland and hopefully he can continue to do that on a weekly basis, a daily basis.

"He instills a lot of confidence in you and a lot of belief. That's the main qualities he's got for me.

"Also Birmingham's a big club, a club with loads of potential, and I've got a chance to play football regularly."

McFadden added: "I have managed to do well enough at international level, I haven't quite done it at Everton regularly enough so hopefully this is where it can happen for me."

Everton manager David Moyes said he wished McFadden well, and that Blues hadn't over paid: "He is worth the money because he is a young, Scottish international who has done really well and who is still improving."