Like Champions League for McLeish

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish believes that his team's achievement of a top 10 Premier League finish is a effort of Champions League proportions.]

Blues were expected to be fighting the drop alongside fellow promoted sides Wolves and relegated Burnley at the start of the season, but have actually spent a good majority of the season in the top half of the table.

So much as a point in their final league game of the season at Bolton on Sunday will guarantee a ninth place finish, and even losing might still achieve that feat as Stoke and Blackburn lag three points behind with an inferior goal difference.

Either way McLeish's men have exceeded all expectations, and the manager believes the time is right to be duly proud of themselves.

He said: "It's probably an achievement that we will look back at in a few years and say it was even better than you thought.

"We've been there for so long now that at times it bothered me that we weren't getting any higher. But when I look at us being above those teams I have to pinch myself.

"Staying in the league was right but getting into the top half of the table was like getting into the Champions League!

"We have punched above our weight. I expected this squad to keep us clear of relegation but they have exceeded even that.

"It's been an outstanding and extraordinary season for the players."