Birmingham City have long been known as a club to really hold onto their truly beloved and after a seriously promising first display by Cheick Keita this weekend, could the Blues be about to unearth another future first team star?

Well if we're judging from a first display then yes, they are.

Cheick Keita's Birmingham debut was everything you wanted it to be and more.

More importantly than anything else, he was included a team that brought home Gianfranco Zola's first win at the St Andrew's helm and for the Italian to have Keita as a part of that would have been seriously promising.

But on an individual scale, he was absolutely superb and gave the Blues faithful everything they've wanted to see for weeks now, especially from full back.

He was full of running, strong in the tackle and not afraid in the slightest to get forward and offer support in attack.

For too long now, Blues have had full backs who aren't willing to get fully stuck in going forward and after the young Frenchman's display, it's seriously tough to see Jonathan Grounds warranting a start on that left hand side of defence.

He seemed to block out any inexperience, nerves or the inevitable language barrier that comes with joining a new side and slotted in seamlessly.

That first win was an absolute godsend and there's real hope that for now, Birmingham can kick on under Zola and continue to pick up wins that could revitalise a push for the top six.

It's number one and counting but for Cheick Keita, his start and involvement in such an important game won't be forgotten in the slightest.

Birmingham could well have found their next St Andrew's hero and if he's like any that have come before him, they won't want to let go either.

Birmingham fans - how good is Keita? Were you impressed with his debut? Can he become a new hero at St Andrew's? Let us know in the comments below...