OWEN Coyle says he has so much to thank Alex McLeish that he’s ensuring he won’t be leaving Turf Moor empty-handed tomorrow.

But instead of three points, the Burnley boss hopes all his Birmingham City counterpart and countryman is walking away with is a tray of empties.

McLeish sent Coyle a dozen bottles of his favourite tipple, Irn Bru, as a thank you for Burnley’s assistance in the Blues’ return to the Premier League.

Burnley’s home win over Sheffield United helped the Midlands side secure automatic promotion as Championship runners up, and Coyle explained: “If we beat Sheffield United and they beat Preston they were automatically promoted.

“We beat Sheffield United but he let me down on the Preston one and gave me anxious moments in getting in the play-offs!

“But he said if we did it he was going to send me some Irn Bru as a ‘thank you’ because he knows I don’t drink.

“He was true to his word. He sent me a case of glass bottles.

“They’re all drunk now but I’ve got the 12 empties for him because I know what he’s like with money – he’ll be looking for the returns. I think it’s 25p a return, so they’re sitting there waiting for him!”

Joking aside, Coyle acknowledges the role McLeish has played in his career.

The former Scotland boss sent a glowing reference to Clarets chairman Barry Kilby and operational director Brendan Flood as they narrowed the search for Steve Cotterill’s successor.

“He was the Scotland manager at the time – and he took the time out before the Italy (Euro 2008) game they were preparing for to ring Brendan and the chairman.

"You don’t forget things like that,”

said Coyle.