The Blues are sat in 21st place in the table and are outside the drop zone on goal difference with seven fixtures left to play.
Branston, who played as a centre-back for the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City, has written in the Football League Paper (31.03.24, page 39): “If you’re an interim manager of Gary Rowett’s stature, you’ll pick up wins and get Birmingham out of trouble. Gary’s a great head coach, one of the best in the business. His work-rate is a joke.
“His coaching technique and tactical knowledge are unbelievable. I worked with him at Burton and thought he was top class then. I worked with him at the PFA when he was doing the coaching badges.”
He added: “His attention to detail is absolutely on point and the players there will instantly respect him. He’s been there, done it and I’ve got no doubt whatsoever that the Blues will avoid relegation.”
The Midlands outfit were beaten 2-1 away at QPR last time out and are back in action this afternoon at home to Preston North End. Their upcoming opponents still have a chance of getting into the play-offs.
Rowett is an experienced coach in the Football League and has taken over on an interim basis until the summer.
The 50-year-old started his managerial career at Burton Albion before being poached by the Blues in 2014.
