Carling Cup glory best of McLeish's career

Victorious Blues boss Alex McLeish has hailed his side's dramatic 2-1 Carling Cup win over Arsenal as the biggest achievement of a glittering career.

The former Scotland boss was already used to winning trophies from his days as Glasgow Rangers, where he won seven pieces of silverware including a league title, Scottish Cup and Scottish League cup treble.

But he insists that guiding his current unfancied charges to an unlikely victory over Arsene Wenger's title chasers tops even that feat.

He said: "Relatively speaking it is probably my best achievement ever because at Glasgow Rangers I was expected to win trophies, albeit it is difficult against big rivals Celtic.

"But to come to England, in my first trophy attempt, for a small club in birmingham to beat the might of Arsenal is a dream come true.

"I'm so happy for everybody connected with Birmingham City Football Club, especially the fans who have had a long wait.

"It was an honour to win the trophies we won at Glasgow Rangers against a very strong Celtic team, which was difficult, but nobody gave us a prayer against Arsenal — we were massive underdogs.

"But a couple of times the bookies don't get it right and we proved that with phenomEnal belief and phenomenal courage, and some good football.

"You do need a little bit of luck but we had game plan that was excuted brilliantly."

And McLeish made his assessment about his latest achievement before he had even realised he had delivered European football next season.

When he was asked about this feat at the post-match press conference he admitted: "I had forgotten about that. In Scotland you don't get into Europe with a League Cup victory.

He added that the team will need strengthening if it is to compete in the Europa League next season, He said: "To get into Europe, it is not without its problems in terms of having to have a strong squad.

"But at the same time I'm proud to be competing in Europe and we will have to try and develop the squad further."

He also said that there would be no major celebrations on his part until next weekend, after his side have negotiated a Premier Leaue derby against fellow strugglers Albion.

"It will stay low key because we didn't plan anything. We reserved next weekend for celebrations the day after the West Brom game.

"I hope it's not a case of after the lord mayor's show because it's vital for us. It's another cup final.

"The logistics made it very difficult for us to organise any celebrations after a 4pm kick-off in London."