Gregory Vignal backs Alex McLeish at Birmingham City - and reveals an uncertain future
May 1 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
GREGORY Vignal has urged Blues to ‘trust’ Alex McLeish and give him ‘power’ in the summer transfer market.
Vignal, back in the side as a consequence of Scott Dann’s calf injury, said Blues had a good base to work from for future success.
And he argued that McLeish, for whom he played in Rangers’ title-winning team of 2005, was the right man at the vanguard.
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“I think we have got a good foundation and squad,” the left-back said.
“The boss can improve it and it will be important for him to bring in more players.
“He knows what he wants and you have to trust him, give him the power to give him what he wants.
“You can see how difficult the Premier League is. Look at how much Aston Villa have spent on their players.”
Vignal, who will start against Burnley today at St Andrew’s (12.45pm) with Liam Ridgewell moving inside to centre-half, said Blues’ achievements as a newly-promoted club had been ‘unreal’.
“We were in the Championship last season, we’re in the Premier League this season. It has been a big step. That’s the first part,’’ he added.
“So it has been a little bit unreal this season, no?
“We don’t have to rush. We have to make progress year by year.
“The boss said something the other week, that he can’t keep pulling rabbits out of the hat every time. That’s true, so he does need the help too.”
Despite predicting a promising future for Blues, Vignal might not be around the see it.
His contract is up in the summer and he has yet to be informed if Blues are to take up a 12-month option.
“There is an option,” he confirmed. “I haven’t asked yet, I don’t know what is going to happen.
“The club will decide and, of course, I would like to stay. I have got everything ready for next season.
“I think I have been a bit unlucky and I would like a second chance, to start properly in pre-season, get some good friendly games.
‘‘I came in only three days before Manchester United. So it’s like this. We will see.”
