July 30 2002

Clinton Morrison

Clinton Morrison said he cannot wait to meet up with Steve Bruce again and prove himself in the Premiership.

Morrison, 24, signed a four-year contract as Andy Johnson came to Palace in part exchange.

Morrison said: "I had some great times at Palace and they taught me so much but I felt it was time to move on with Premiership football on the horizon.

"I did my time at Palace, through the good times and the bad times, but I am really relishing the chance to work again with Steve Bruce.

"He has brought the skills he learnt at Manchester United and under Alex Ferguson to his coaching and he got the best out of me when he was at Palace.

"He also likes to play football which appeals to me and personally it will be a dream come true to step out into the Premiership next month.

"Apart from 10 minutes as a substitute in the season when Palace were relegated, this will be my first taste of it.

"I think I can do a job at this level. You have got to be confident. I am a bit nervous inside and maybe sometimes I can be over-confident.

"But you have got to have that as a footballer, have that belief that you can do well and I will be trying to do the best I can for Birmingham.

"There have been other Premiership clubs who have declared an interest in the past but no-one had gone this far down the line.''

He added: "I will not be setting any targets but I will be looking forward to proving people wrong who doubted whether I can do it in the Premiership.

"It's a challenge and I am ready to take it on. I have done alright in cup matches against Premiership sides like Liverpool, Leicester, Sunderland and Newcastle and caused them problems.

"I am hoping I will be able to do the same for Birmingham City and this is the chance to show if I can handle it at this level.

"People say I will be going straight into the deep end by playing Arsenal away in the first game.

"But it is the chance that you want. I won't be fazed by it and as a Spurs fan I will definitely want to beat them!''