Alex McLeish: We must continue progress

Alex McLeish today admitted Blues' Carling Cup fate will define their future.

Birmingham face Arsenal at Wembley tomorrow bidding for their first major trophy since 1963.

Two trailblazing seasons under McLeish, where they also finished ninth in the Premier League last term, have heightened hopes.

A win tomorrow would be another step towards establishing Blues as a top-flight English club.

McLeish is aware the heat is on to continue their progress but insisted they will not blow their hard work.

He said: "We've got to find a niche at the top level rather than say 'we're shooting for the top, we're going to go for the Champions League'.

"We've seen so many teams attempt that after being pretty stable in the league and cup and go and blow it.

"I'm as ambitions as the next man and you keep doing your best. I'd like to progress but I'd like to do that with Birmingham and find a niche in this league for the next few years — but also win our first trophy for 48 years."

Blues are underdogs going into tomorrow's game but McLeish urged his players not to have any regrets.

"They must relish every moment and not let it pass them by," he said. "We've got a lot of experience so the players shouldn't be fazed."