Rovers hold cold comfort for Bruce

Former Manchester United team-mates Bruce and Blackburn boss Mark Hughes have had a strained relationship since Rovers signed Savage from Birmingham.

Matters have not been helped by Mark Bowen's defection from St Andrew's to become assistant manager at Rovers — Bruce and Bowen no longer speak.

Birmingham's boss said: "I don't think I'll be invited in for a drink, do you? I'll shake hands with Mark (Hughes), no problem, and wish him all the best, but it's not just Sav there's a problem with, is it?"

It might have taken him more than two years to say it, but at least Savage has finally apologised over the manner of his exit. The former Wales midfielder ended a sorry episode after he apologised to his former manager during the Birmingham's Carling Cup defeat at Blackburn Rovers 10 days ago.

Two years ago, Savage blamed Bruce and the club for forcing him out after they failed to offer him a new contract.

When that did not work, he concocted a story about the length of time it took for him to travel home, claiming Blackburn was closer to his parents' home in north Wales.

It was exposed as a sham when the difference was shown to be two miles. Birmingham chairman David Sullivan even offered the midfielder the use of a chauffeur.

So when that failed, the blond scrapper resorted to breaking down in tears in Bruce's office saying he wanted to play for his Wales and Manchester United hero Hughes.

At that point, Bruce decided to allow the £2.3million move to go ahead. Last night, Bruce confirmed that the episode was over.

"Robbie shook my hand and apologised," he said. "He was disappointed about the way it ended. And he was man enough to say he wished it hadn't finished like it had.

"We lost a very good player. He was a hero to our supporters and we shared some good times together. He was absolutely adored by our fans and I don't care what you say, he wasn't going to get that at Blackburn.

"Do I think it was the wrong move? That's not for me to say. But when I heard he broke his leg last season, I did feel for him. I don't know whether he has matured. You will have to ask Sav, that, but injuries like that put things into perspective for you. And like they say, time is a great healer."

Bruce remains in limbo over his contract talks but is hoping the matter is resolved shortly. His new deal needs to be confirmed by in-coming owner Carson Yeung and Bruce said: "It's been presented to the Chinese and the prospective owner has told me that he wants me to stay in charge. He's bound to say that, isn't he? It may be only natural if he wants his own people in.

"I'm just a bit disappointed because I was offered the deal in May. I went away on holiday and by the time I came back, everything had changed."