McLeish has laid down the gauntlet to his players

McLeish, who left his position as Scotland boss to replace Steve Bruce at St Andrews, takes charge of his first match on Sunday away to Tottenham.

"There are six games to go before the transfer window opens. It is a chance for players to impress me," he said.

"They need to show they can be good Premier League players."

McLeish added: "It is up to them to keep making an impression on me. I have told them it is not just about doing it for the first couple of weeks.

"I said it is about making an impression day in and day out, year in and year out.

"They are playing sport at a level that millions of people never have the chance to do. They are a privileged bunch.

"They must realise a playing career goes in a flash and you've got to make the most of every day."

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With Birmingham struggling in the Premier League, lying only one point above the relegation zone, McLeish knows he has a challenge ahead of him.

He will be given money to spend in the January transfer window but he is also expecting his current squad to start delivering to its potential.

"We are down at the bottom of the table, but I don't accept we are prime candidates for relegation," he added.

"There is not much between the bottom seven or eight clubs. There is a league within a league and we've got to get clear of that bottom pack.