Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has warned his players this season's achievements will count for nothing in contract talks if they can't back it up next term.

McLeish admits he will be prepared to "cull" players if he feels they're unable to repeat this season's heroics.

He told the Birmingham Mail: "I know some players get tired, some players can't do it again and they get quickly culled.

"In Sir Alex Ferguson's era at Aberdeen, there was a real hard nucleus who were playing every week, every year for about eight years.

"Some went on to bigger clubs - not necessarily bigger things - moved abroad and into England and the like.

"There was just a fantastic mentality and strength of character. We weren't just one-hit wonders, like you get in the pop charts.

"And that's my challenge to these guys: do it again ... and again."