David Murphy: Beating the drop as good as cup win

Mar 21 2008 By Colin Tattum

DAVID Murphy today admitted that helping Blues beat the drop would give him as much pleasure as winning the Scottish League Cup.

Murphy triumphed 5-1 with Hibernian against Kilmarnock at Hampden a year ago, which brought the first major trophy to Easter Road  since 1992.

"Would it be as good? In a different way it would be," said the £1.5 million January signing.

"Winning the cup for Hibs was a great day, massive for the club.

"But this, coming to Birmingham, if we manage to stay up would be a huge achievement, something we could build on for next season."

And Murphy said he could see a bright future for Blues under boss Alex McLeish.

"I think so. The management staff have got some great ideas. Hopefully they can realise them in the Premiership."

Incredibly, Murphy is the 21st player since Blues won promotion in 2002 who has been handed the opportunity to nail down the left-back position.

Admittedly some  have been stop-gaps and used  in emergency, but the role has proved so problematic.

The 'curse of the left-back' has not been communicated to Murphy, who has displaced Franck Queudrue as first choice there.

"No, I've come here and just tried to put my game into place," he said.

"I wasn't 100 per cent fit when I arrived because I'd had a couple of weeks out injury wise.

 "First couple of games it was just getting back into the rhythm of playing again, last couple it's felt good.

"Now I'm getting my match fitness back  everyone will see the best in me."

Murphy is determined to establish himself as a regular for years to come.

"Yes," he nodded. "I've come here to prove a point to everyone that I can play in this league.

It's where I want to play my football, and do well for Birmingham."

As for the relegation dogfight he's walked into, former Middlesbrough trainee Murphy said: "It brings out the best in you, adversity. I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"I haven't had a relegation battle before. In Scotland I was always competing for Europe.

"So it's new to me but something I am relishing."