McLeish convinced Boyd would shine down south

Former Scotland manager is keen for striker to rejoin him at Birmingham City

Kris Boyd, whose contract with Rangers expires at the end of the season, is said to be in talks with several English clubs (PA )

Alex McLeish is confident Rangers striker Kris Boyd will be a success in the Premier League if he decides to move south of the border in the summer. McLeish has confirmed Birmingham's interest in signing Boyd whose current contract at Ibrox runs out at the end of the season.

The former Scotland manager has spoken with representatives of the 26-year-old since the transfer window closed in January and McLeish is backing the man he brought to Rangers four years ago to find the net in England should the striker decide he wants to test himself outside of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

McLeish said: "If you make the chances, Kris Boyd will score. You won't turn him into a bad finisher overnight if he comes to the Premier League. But it is a different league to the SPL and, the thing about Kris is that you have to make sure the supply is right. Can he make the step to the Premier League in England? He can score goals. If you can give him the service he will score."

McLeish was strongly linked with a move for Boyd in January, a year after the player rejected a move to the midlands club after failing to agree personal terms. The Blues manager is keen to bolster his firepower despite the current fine form being shown by Cameron Jerome who has scored four goals in the last three games.

He said: "We are looking at a number of names. I really can't talk about players that are under contract because it looks tantamount to tapping up. But we have got a number of players we will try and pursue. I can talk about Boyd because he's out of contract and we have made contact with Rangers also, in terms of courtesy.

"It is ongoing. He's talking to other clubs as well. He's a free agent, he has got that luxury. We have spoken to his people since January."

McLeish wants to bring in six or seven players this summer but admits a big-money signing like Tottenham's Roman Pavlyuchenko may be beyond him this summer. Blues met Tottenham's initial asking price of £12m in January but the price was then increased and since then Pavlyuchenko has hit a rich vein of form.

McLeish said: "We'd struggle at that level because it would kill most of my budget – especially when we need to sign another five or six players. It's whether I've got enough money to splash on one huge signing. That will be debatable because, like I say, we may need to sign a few players."

Boyd has been offered a new deal to stay with Rangers, but he has delayed making a decision over his future due to the continuing uncertainty at Ibrox.

The Scotland international, who has also been linked with Blackburn, Wigan and Hull, insists he would be a success in the English Premier League if he decides to quit Scotland.

He told the Daily Record: "It would be nice to play in the Premiership. I've confidence in my own ability and believe I'd score goals at the highest level. But at the moment, all I want is to do well for Rangers and help them win more trophies.

"I genuinely don't know if I'll stay or go, but I'd be happy to sign on again here and if I'm still banging in goals for Rangers five or six years from now, I'll be very happy. I've spoken to Walter Smith [Rangers' manager] about my situation and he respects my decision to take my time about it and not to rush into anything.

"On the outside, it's easy for people to say, 'Come on, just sign again for Rangers', but it's not as easy as that. At this moment in time, the club is not stable and that is on my mind. This club needs stability. It needs to be sorted out.

"The gaffer, Ally McCoist, Kenny McDowall and Ian Durrant need to be given contracts. That should be the priority."