OUT of the 20-odd managers Owen Coyle played under in a 22-year career, the Burnley boss counts Alex McLeish as arguably his greatest mentor.

So it is fitting, then, that his former Motherwell chief, affectionately known as Big Eck, had a helping hand in Coyle’s first managerial appointment south of the border 11 months ago.

The then Scotland boss took time out from preparing the national side for a formidable assignment against Italy at Hampden Park.

And it proved to be the clincher in the deal that brought Coyle to Turf Moor to replace Steve Cotterill in November.

“I am grateful to Alex for doing that for me, especially when he had his hands full with Italy,” said Coyle. “Alex signed me for Motherwell in 1997 from Dundee United to get the club out of trouble.

“I like to think I did a good job for him and he is one of the people that I will look to for advice.

“I can’t praise him highly enough, not only as a coach, but as a man.

“I played under 21-22 managers, and I’ve got to say, I probably learned most, and certainly took a lot from working with Alex. I worked with him for three years and loved every minute.

“His man-management was fantastic, and he has an aura about him, and a style, and I’ve got an awful lot of time for him.

“He has a great knowledge of football, as we all know, and he deals with players well – fairly and honestly, and I think that goes a long way.

“I’ve no doubt he will do a great job down here, I met him last week at the Scotland-Norway game, where we had a chat, giving each other the mindgames and that, but what I love about him, good, bad or indifferent, you always get him the same way.

“He has a tremendous sense of humour and he’s a great character.”

But there is no chance of Coyle feeling he owes McLeish a favour when it comes to tomorrow’s game.

“He feels there’s a lot more to come from Birmingham, in terms of performances, and that augurs well for them, because they’re already top. God help the rest of the Championship!” he said.