Blues step up bid to keep Hart
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has revealed the club have stepped up their bid to keep on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart at St Andrew's.
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has revealed the club have stepped up their bid to keep on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart at St Andrew's.
The 22-year-old, who is with Blues for the season from Manchester City, has impressed this year with the team only behind Villa, Chelsea and Manchester United in conceding fewer goals in the Premier League.
After their last gasp 2-1 win at Derby in Saturday's FA Cup fifth round, McLeish was keen to get the ball rolling to extend his No 1's stay.
The manager said: "I know I've put into the system that our chief executive Michael Dunford should be talking to City about next season. If I can't get Hart permanently, would I settle for another loan season? Yes.
"We have ironed out a few rough edges and I hope City recognise that and give us a bit of good will for next season - if you are listening Manchester City.
"Sometimes you can learn under different coaches and maybe do things different ways. We'd like to think we have definitely improved Joe with some of the stuff we have worked on."
But McLeish admitted the club haven't heard from City this year, despite Hart's impressive form.
The Blues boss said: "Joe has had no contact from them and we've had no contact."
Hart has helped Blues to the FA Cup quarter final, where they travel to Portsmouth, following Saturday's comeback victory at Pride Park.
But despite their success former midfielder Robbie Savage has taunted his old club, claiming they are not as good as the team he starred in at St Andrew's.
Savage, now at Derby, helped Blues to 13th and 10th place in the Premier League before an acrimonious £3million switch to Blackburn in 2005.
He said: "Are Birmingham getting back to where we were? No. Listen, Alex McLeish has done a terrific job. But we finished tenth in the Premier League, we stayed up there for three consecutive seasons.
"If Birmingham stay in the Premier League for the next three seasons, yes, they will be up there comparable with us."
Savage also blasted Blues defender Roger Johnson for his reaction at the final whistle.
He said: "I'm disappointed in him because when we were coming off the pitch he shouted over 'I'll be drinking the champagne tonight, Sav.'
"Roger should concentrate a bit more on what's happening on the pitch, because Kris Commons gave him the run around."
