By Todd Grainger
December 21 2005

Steve Bruce has apologised to any Birmingham City fans who were offended by his decision to wave harmlessly at Manchester United supporters during the Red Devils' 3-1 Carling Cup win on Tuesday night. The ex-United defender simply responded to chants of "Brucey, Brucey give us a wave" from the visiting supporters - perhaps unwise, given Brum's terrible form, but hardly an act of treason.

Nevertheless, the natives didn't seem to like it, with many of them responding by booing their own manager. Thus the beleaguered Geordie felt obliged to issue an apology.

He told the Birmingham Mail: "If our supporters were offended, then I apologise. It was not a slight on them or our club.

"It was an instinctive thing and as soon as I put my hand up I thought to myself, I shouldn't really have done that.

"When I came back to St Andrews as manager of Sheffield United after playing for Blues for two years, I did the same thing to the Birmingham fans.

"If people want to hang me for this, then that's up to them. But I think my commitment to Birmingham cannot be called into question.

"If anyone doubts my commitment and my feeling for this club, then they shouldn't. I think we all know what I put myself through in leaving Crystal Palace to come here as manager.

"Birmingham mean as much to me, if not more, than United. Remember: if you include my time as a player, I've spent six years here. I enjoyed my time here as a player but when you are the manager of a club, your attachment increases."

Brucie Gis a wave Brucie Brucie Gis a wave!