Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce is proud to see Mario Melchiot make Holland's Euro2008 squad.

Bruce said: "I'm absolutely delighted that Mario has made the tournament because he was a doubt.

"Mario has got his reward for an excellent season with us. He's been a great skipper for me and I hope he gets the chance to play some matches.

"A lot of nonsense was written about him and me falling out when he left Birmingham a couple of years ago.

"That just wasn't true, it was a financial decision - he left because Birmingham had been relegated and the club had to cut its cloth.

"Last season I thought he was one of our most consistent players - he gave us a steadying influence on the right side."