Alex McLeish hopes that Keith Fahey can make the same impact as previous League of Ireland players who have moved to the Football League.

A fee for Fahey's services was agreed with FAI League of Ireland Premier Division side St. Patrick's yesterday (Thursday).

Prior to having the bid accepted McLeish and his backroom staff had watched the 25-year-old in action numerous times and the Blues boss is confident the player has the ability to make the step up in England.

"We've watched him a few times and we've also watched him in the Hertha Berlin double header and he didn't look out of place against top German players and some Brazilians in their team as well," said McLeish.

"He looked a player in amongst those guys, so that helped.

"Of course you think about the level he's playing at the moment but the one thing for sure is that he knows how to pass the football."

Fahey has previous experience of the English game having been a teenage trainee at Arsenal and Villa, and McLeish is convinced that having been given a second chance he will be "hungry" to prove himself.
 
"Keith will be hungry," said McLeish.

"I know the other Irish boys who have come into English football have acquitted themselves extremely well - (Kevin) Doyle, the two Hunt brothers (Stephen and Noel) at Reading.

"I feel that Keith will have the bit between his teeth to show that he can cut it in English football.

"He's a central midfielder and from what I've seen of him he's got vision, passes a ball accurately, seems to have a good engine and I look forward to working with him."

The Blues boss also says that if and when a deal is concluded he will have no hesitation in pitching Fahey into the club's promotion battle sooner rather than later if he impresses in training.

"Quite simply if he comes and is showing better than the players that are already here we won't hesitate to put him in," added the Blues boss.