NIGEL HOPING FOR A BIT OF THE CLOUGH FAMILY MAGIC AGAINST CITY

NIGEL CLOUGH once won a coin toss to decide kit colours for the League Cup final and is praying for more luck tonight.

The Burton boss takes his League One underdogs to Manchester City desperate to continue their incredible run. The Brewers have already beaten four higher-ranked teams on the way to the last four – Aston Villa, Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough.

But against Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions, Clough knows he is facing the ultimate test.

Despite the huge gap between the clubs, Clough – who spent almost three years at City as a player – goes into the first leg buoyed by a family history of success in the competition.

He won the League Cup twice in the Nottingham Forest team managed by his legendary dad Brian (left) – who lifted it four times in total – against Luton in 1989 (below) and Oldham in 1990.

It was for the 1978 final against Liverpool that, as a young boy, he was involved in a flip of the coin over which of the teams would wear their traditional red kit at Wembley.

“We beat Leeds in the semi-final,” said Clough. “Bob Paisley came in the dressing-room afterwards and we had to toss up for who was going to wear red in the final.

“Ken Smales, the secretary at Forest gave me the coin. Bob called it wrong and we wore red in the final then won it in the replay wearing yellow. I wish I could toss a coin to decide it against City.”

There was also the night the Clough family sat at home eating a fish and chip supper with the trophy on the dining room table.

He recalls: “I think it was the first time after we beat Liverpool