Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has slammed weekend reports of a rift existing between himself and chairman David Gold as "wide of the mark."

McLeish has steered the Blues back to the Barclays Premier League in his first full season in charge at St. Andrews and the former Scotland boss insists he has a solid relationship with the long-serving Gold and his full support.

McLeish said: "People ask me if I have had a rift with the chairman and I think that is wide of the mark. I am astonished to hear that.

"He is in the dressing room every week wishing me well. I get text messages from the chairman when it is has not gone so well, keeping the support up.

"I really appreciate that. That is a godsend when you are on a low, when you get a text message from your boss when you are a bit down."