Wayne Rooney registered his first point as Birmingham manager when his side managed a 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town at St. Andrew’s on Saturday.
Laird was in the starting eleven and was excellent as Birmingham had a two-goal lead while he was on the pitch.
They conceded two late goals when the full-back was substituted and Clarke stressed that it is clear Birmingham look a different team when the 22-year-old is in the side.
He believes Laird makes a huge difference to Rooney’s team and is a real dynamic presence in the side as an attacking full-back.
Clarke said on the What The EFL Podcast: “I think Ethan Laird made a massive difference.
“I rated this kid ever since I first saw him a couple of years ago.
“He is a really dynamic, vibrant and attacking full-back and when he plays Birmingham are going to be a different proposition to when he is missing.”
A product of the Manchester United academy, Laird was rated highly at Old Trafford and even had loan spells at QPR, Swansea City and MK Dons.
Birmingham snapped him up in the summer when Manchester United decided to move him on.
