Andy Walker: Lee Carsley was a model pro for Birmingham City

May 2 2010

Lee Carsley

LEE Carsley’s involvement on-the-field may have been at a minimum this season, but his role behind the scenes shouldn’t be ignored.

Whenever I interview or speak to a rising Blues star and ask them who is their biggest influence at the club, one name always mentioned and it’s always Carsley’s.

Despite a CV boasting a World Cup, Champions League football and a career largely spent at the top end of the Premier League, youngsters find it easy to relate to the Brummie’s down-to-earth nature.

It was a side of the midfielder’s character that Blues boss Alex McLeish regularly alluded to.

My story in today’s Sunday Mercury tipping Carsley, to make a success of a career in football management comes as no surprise given his standing around the Wast Hills training ground.

Now as the ex-Republic of Ireland prepares to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere, Blues fans shouldn’t just remember the terrier-like displays that helped the club to promotion last season, but they should also appreciate the mark Carsley has made on the potential St Andrew’s stars of the future.