Birmingham signing Dann backed for big success

New Birmingham City signing Scott Dann has been backed for success by his former youth coach, Mick Halsall.

Halsall, now in charge of Walsall's academy, told the Sunday Mercury: “I do believe that he’ll easily be able to step up to the Premier League because of what he’s already got.

“He’s got all the attributes, he’s a leader, organised and terrific in the air and got great feet. Hopefully he will weigh in with a goal or two as well and hopefully in the first game up at Manchester United.

“The big thing is that he’s progressed since getting into the Walsall first-team. He’s held his own in the Championship and I can’t see any reason why he won’t be able to compete in the Premier League. Scott has got a lot of potential to fulfil.”

He added: “I think he could become one of the of the best centre-backs in the country especially working with the people at Birmingham, McLeish, Aitken who are ex-centre-halves themselves. And of course playing with better players, will help him realise his massive potential."