Garry Birtles says Nuno is doing something at Nottingham Forest that he saw Brian Clough do

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Being compared to Brian Clough is the greatest honour a Nottingham Forest manager can receive, and Nuno Espirito Santo has received a fair few of those comparisons this season.

Garry Birtles has been at the forefront of these comparisons as the European Cup winner keeps on top of the latest happenings at the City Ground, but not every comment on Espirito Santo is a positive one.

Birtles criticised Espirito Santo after the Everton defeat for starting Anthony Elanga on the bench, while last season saw Birtles question Espirito Santo’s substitutions.

The Forest legend is clearly just passionate about his former club, though, ready to stick up for the players at any moment, as showcased when Birtles told Morgan Gibbs-White to reject England’s call after the talisman was initially snubbed.

In the buildup to Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final, Birtles has again been in the media, this time making an incredibly flattering comparison between Espirito Santo and Clough.

Garry Birtles makes brilliant Nuno and Brian Clough comparison

Espirito Santo has a monumental task on his hands on Sunday as he shares the Wembley dugout with Pep Guardiola, who will enter his seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final.

Guardiola admires Forest in similar ways to the likes of Birtles, who has spoken to the Daily Mail about the aspect of the current Forest squad that reminds him of the side he starred in.

Birtles said: “When I see this team, I see their joy of winning, and that makes me emotional because that’s what we had. It’s important. What the gaffer did was about simplicity. Good players in their right positions. Good recruitment. I see that now.”

Going even further, he added: “The gaffer would have liked Nuno. Our teams and this team share qualities. Unity and togetherness, for example. That takes an awful lot of work and cleverness.”

To earn the admiration of such important figures in Forest’s history must be an proud feeling for Espirito Santo, who has always made sure to pay respect to Clough especially.

What Nuno Espirito Santo has said about Brian Clough

There’s no forgetting the legacy of Clough at Forest, with the memories of what he achieved plastered all around the City Ground.

Espirito Santo matched a Brian Clough record this season by doing the league double over Manchester United, and is always keen to discuss the great man whenever possible.

Speaking to the BBC about Clough on the 20th anniversary of his death, Espirito Santo said: “It is present in us every day. We go around the club and we see how Brian Clough was important for Forest.

“What he achieved and how things change. The mentality of knowing that anything is possible in football and that is credit to Brian and the players of that fantastic moment.”

Clough never won the FA Cup, but Espirito Santo has the chance to this season, and if he does, there’s no doubt that he’ll pay a special tribute to the icon in the process.