Another week, another three signings! Boro's transfers under Strachan are less a steady stream of players arriving, than a storm of Scots descending on the Riverside...and it's fantastic!
Halliday, Boyd, McManus (Bailey's not Scottish!)are all signed and sealed and its only the 14th of July.
This kind of thing is almost unprecedented at Boro.
Strachan and Chief Executive Keith Lamb insist these deals have been in the pipeline for several months, but the quick fire nature in which the deals are being finalised is exciting for the fans.
Andy Halliday looks like Strachan sent his scouts with the direction of locating a 'Scottish Adam Johnson' - No pressure Andy!
Boyd's record is literally unparalleled in the SPL and McManus is the kind of man you really can build a team around, although fortunately right now we don't need to.
Nicky Bailey is the odd one out in that he appears to have no connection to Scotland other than perhaps visiting a couple of gold courses there? But is nonetheless very much in Strachan's 'real men' mode, and has even held down an actual job after being released by Fulham as a teenager.
Of Boro's surviving squad let me just take this opportunity to wish Rhys Williams a speedy recovery in Australia, and let's hope he doesn't get too used to the sunshine as he could be an important player for Boro next season and it would be a pity if he missed out on our surely inevitable? promotion.
Strachan has stated he is not 'actively trying to get rid' of any players, although with Mido in particular still on our books, some of the fans may be rather wishing he was!
I would also like to see us give Kyle Naughton another loan deal, to bring him back to the Boro for a full season.
You always need a few players who look too good for the team, and his short spell at the Boro Naughton mostly looked Premier League. He was also desperate to play every week.
Naugton has returned to Spurs after his loan deal ended last month, and featured in their first pre-season friendly, a 4-0 win over Bournemouth in which he came close to scoring.
However he is unlikely to get much playing time in Redknapp's top four team and would be a good addition to Boro's steadily growing squad.
In the meantime we are 'closing in' on Kevin Thomson with 'Boydy' lending his weight to the signing of his Rangers former teammate.
Let them laugh and call us McBoro, if we are lifting the Championship trophy come May we will all be wearing tartan in celebration!
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 14-7-10
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