Steve Bruce

Steve Bruce booted Hossam Ghaly out of Blues after he ridiculed the ability of his new team-mates, writes Colin Tattum in the Birmingham Mail.

The Blues boss confirmed today that Ghaly's unacceptable attitude during training at Wast Hills yesterday which culiminated in a huge row was behind his shock exit.

Bruce was absolutely furious with Ghaly and received the full backing of the board and MD Karren Brady to send the £3 million midfielder packing back to Spurs.

As Ghaly had done little physical work as transfer negotiations had rumbled on for five days, he was asked to do extra running and a one-on-one session with fitness coach Dan Harris.

Ghaly started grumbling and at lunchtime Bruce checked a missed phonecall from his agent on his mobile.

"His agent left a message and said that he [Ghaly] wasn't happy with the standard of players here," revealed Bruce.

"I couldn't believe what I was hearing - and I've kept the message on my voicemail.

Hossam Ghaly

"When he had his one-to-one session with Dan, he was moaning we 'don't do this, don't do that' at Tottenham, it 'wasn't right' and 'ridiculous'.

"He had a right petted lip on.

"Yes, strong words were said and he was told in no uncertain terms that if he didn't like it, he should clear off.

"There's no way I'm going to have someone criticising the squad, especially when they are supposed to be their new team-mates.

"And I'm not having anyone upsetting the togetherness and spirit we have worked so hard to build up here.

"I've had this before with a former captain [Kenny Cunningham] complaining about all sorts and I'm not going to keep fighting things like that.

"Yes, we train our players hard and we expect them to put the work in.

"What we do here was good enough for a World Cup winner [Christophe Dugarry] and so was our club and players.

"Hossam Ghaly came from Tottenham's reserves and we were quite prepared to give him an opportunity to play regularly and establish himself.

"He had had the summer off and after reporting back hadn't trained properly for a couple of weeks or so as the transfer negotiations got going.

"For the previous four or five days he'd done nothing. He was way, way behind in his fitness."

As Blues were waiting for a work permit for Ghaly, his transfer and contract had not been registered so they could pull out of the deal.