Liam Millar has spoken with confidence about Birmingham City's prospects in the Championship, insisting the squad possesses the mental fortitude required to compete at this level and push for a positive campaign.

Millar points to dressing room spirit

Speaking ahead of the club's fixture against Middlesbrough, the Blues winger was bullish about the group Tony Clement has assembled at St Andrew's. According to the BBC Radio WM interview, Millar was clear that the internal culture at the club is heading in the right direction.

"The character is there in this team," Millar said, in comments that will resonate with a supporter base eager to see Birmingham mount a sustained challenge in the second tier after a turbulent period in the club's recent history.

It is the kind of statement that carries more weight when set against context. Birmingham have faced a testing start to the season, with results mixed and the squad still finding its rhythm under Clement. A narrow defeat to Norwich City was followed by encouraging signs, including a draw against Wolves and a morale-boosting victory over Derby County, results that suggest the side is capable of competing when at its best.

What Millar brings to the side

The Canadian international winger has been a key creative outlet for Birmingham since arriving at the club. His directness and ability to carry the ball in wide areas provide a different dimension to the Blues attack, and his willingness to speak publicly about the squad's belief suggests he has settled into a leadership role within the group, at least informally.

Millar's comments echo those made recently by manager Clement, who has spoken about Birmingham being close to clicking into gear as a cohesive unit. The consistency of that message from both the dugout and the dressing room points to a genuine sense of alignment within the camp, something that has not always been present at the club in recent seasons.

The Middlesbrough test

The fixture against Middlesbrough represents a stern examination of whether that character Millar speaks of can be converted into points. Middlesbrough are among the more organised and physically imposing sides in the Championship, and performing against that kind of opposition tends to be a clearer indicator of a team's true standing than results against sides lower in the table.

For Birmingham, the incentive is straightforward. Consecutive positive results would begin to shift the mood significantly, both inside the building and among supporters who have endured a great deal of uncertainty in recent times. The club's ownership has been reshaping the squad and the infrastructure, and a run of form would validate much of that work.

Millar's confidence, as reported by BBC Radio WM, is not to be dismissed as pre-match noise. The winger has Championship experience and understands what is required to compete across a gruelling 46-game campaign. If he genuinely believes the character is present in this Birmingham squad, that is a meaningful endorsement of where the club finds itself as the season begins to take shape.

Whether Clement's side can back it up on the pitch against Middlesbrough will tell supporters a great deal about their prospects for the months ahead.

Frequently asked

What did Liam Millar say about Birmingham City?
Speaking ahead of Birmingham's game against Middlesbrough, winger Liam Millar said he believes the character is there in the squad and that the club has the right components in place for success, according to BBC Radio WM.
Who does Liam Millar play for?
Liam Millar is a winger for Birmingham City, who currently play in the Championship.
When do Birmingham City play Middlesbrough?
Millar's comments were made ahead of Birmingham City's Championship fixture against Middlesbrough, which he spoke about in a BBC Radio WM interview on 17 September 2026.