NOT too long ago, there was a question for which there could only have been one serious answer.

Asked to name a young, Scottish, flame-headed manager in the Premier League most likely to end his team’s long wait for silverware, the response would have been immediate.

Not least with additional caveat the club’s colours had to be blue and white.

Yet as David Moyes saw his latest hopes of a trophy crash and burn with the dismal FA Cup home defeat to Reading last week, the Everton manager had already been beaten to the target by compatriot Alex McLeish.

Birmingham City’s shock Carling Cup triumph over Arsenal at Wembley 11 days ago was proof the honours need not be dominated by the usual suspects.

And it’s why Moyes will be forgiven feeling a pang of jealousy as he greets McLeish ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash between the teams at Goodison.

With Birmingham also still involved in the FA Cup – they face Bolton Wanderers in the quarter-finals at the weekend – Everton’s followers might want to change places with this evening’s travelling army.

However, the league table, which Moyes maintains is the priority, paints an altogether different picture, with Birmingham ensconced in the drop zone while Everton could move within three points of the top six with victory.

There are some good omens for Moyes.

In 12 Premier League meetings against fellow Scots, McLeish has yet to register a single victory – drawing six and losing six.