This is The North East | Sport | Football

AS further talk circulated about the increasing likelihood Steve McClaren will soon be named the next England boss, the Middlesbrough manager last night hailed three performances which keep alive his hopes of becoming a trophy winner this season.

A strike from Nicolae Dica may have secured a narrow advantage for Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Cup semi-final ahead of next week's return leg, but that could have been far worse had it not been for Mark Schwarzer's saves and the displays of his centre-backs.

Both Stockton-born Matthew Bates, just 19, and the experienced Ugo Ehiogu would not have been playing had Chris Riggott and Gareth Southgate not be ruled out through suspension and injury respectively.

And their work did not go unnoticed by their manager. He said: "Steaua's goalkeeper, Carlos Fernandes, made some very good saves as well, but Mark in the second half has kept us in the tie.

"The players dug in and Mark Schwarzer made some exceptional saves. Matthew Bates, for a player of just 19, was exceptional. Bates really delivered a mature performance for one so young.

"We were missing big players here like Mark Viduka, Southgate and Riggott. But praise must go to Ehiogu and Bates for the way they performed at the heart of our defence."

The first suggestion prior to kick-off was that McClaren is to be named as successor to Sven-Goran Eriksson, who was in the Lia Manoliu National Stadium, today - a claim being refuted.

Another is that Boro are in negotiations with the Football Association over a compensation package, although that has also not been confirmed.

But what is clear is that there is a growing feeling that by the time the second leg with Steaua is over and done with an announcement will be made by the Football Association.

And McClaren, whose side bounced back from two down against Basle in the previous round, feels Middlesbrough still have every chance of overcoming the 1986 European Cup winners.

"At 2-0 we probably would not have been able to come back but at 1-0 I have seen enough to be encouraged and to think we can come back," said McClaren, who must now focus on Sunday's FA Cup semi-final date with West Ham.

"We are going to have to be up for the occasion.

"We have to create an atmosphere like they did here. It was an intimidating atmosphere against a very good team.

"Bucharest have a very good away record but we can score goals. It should be very interesting at the Riverside.

"My players looked tired towards the end. That's obvious. But it's our 57th game of the season.

"It's our fourth game in eight days and that's the sort of season we are having."

Email page

Start Here

Other sites

Map

Help

Feedback

Home