With four late signings joining Boro this January, and as the table in the Riverside Stadium press room is not what you would call generous, the boys had to be separated into two groups for their official press unveilings.
First up it was the none Celtic contingent of Lee Miler and Kyle Naughton.
Aberdeen striker Miller has signed a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee, which will keep him at Boro until 2012 with an option to extend the contract for another year.
Meanwhile Tottenham Hotspur and England Under 21 right-back Kyle Naughton has joined Boro on loan until the end of the season.
Naughton has not had a lot of football recently, having signed for Spurs in the summer from Sheffield United and is raring to get back on the pitch.
"Definitely, I'd have liked to have played as much as possible but I played one cup game that's probably about it, I just want to get on.
"There was one or two clubs [interested in taking Naughton on loan] but this is a massive club in the Championship so it was a pretty easy decision to be honest."
Stiker Lee Miller, agreed with Naughton about the status of his new club, saying: "Like he [Naughton] said, it's a massive club. Everything is in place to be in the Premier League."
On new manager Gordon Strachan, Miller was effusive in his praise, saying: "It is a massive season for him. What he did at Celtic...I played against him several times with Aberdeen. He's a great man manager, he is really thorough and gets the boys up for it."
When asked whether he thought the standard of the Championship was higher than that of the SPL of lower, Miller was reluctant to comment, saying: "It is hard to say, I've not played in the Championship." He then conceded "Perhaps the standard is a bit better in the Championship but the SPL is a tough league."
The press were asking questions based on the assumption that Miller will partner McDonald as Boro's first choice attacking duo. However Miller is aware that he does not have a guaranteed place in the Boro starting eleven.
"I need to work hard and get in the team first and foremost." he said.
Asked why he made the move from the SPL to the Championship, Miller expressed his desire for a new challenge.
"I'd been there [Aberdeen] four seasons, It is a massive club for Scotland, like Middlesbrough come in and want you there, I couldn't think twice."
Kyle Naughton admitted he was surprised that Boro are currently a Championship club. "Yes, I'm a little surprised because, by the looks of it, we have got great facilities and I can't see why we can't get into the play offs."
"I can't wait to get the kit on and start working hard for the club."
Miller ended the session on a positive note, saying: "Everybody wants to play in the top league you can and I'm looking forward to being involved in the club's push for that.
"We are all hungry for success. That's what Gordon is looking for, and getting back up, its as simple as that."
While it was clear that Naughton is not used to the press circuit, his enthusiasm and impatience to play bode well for Boro. More importantly, Naughton is an England youth international, highly rated by Spurs boss Harry Redknapp who snapped him up from Sheffield United last season, and was awarded Championship Player of the Year 2008-9. I suspect the youngster will do his talking on the pitch.
Lee Miller knows he will have to earn his place in the Boro attack as, for the first time since Strachan took over as manager, he has options up front. Despite the continued injury problems of Jeremie Aliadiere, Boro have a selection of strikers available in Miller, fellow new signing Scott McDonald, Chris Killen, Leroy Lita, Jonathan Franks and Luke Williams.
Although midfield still needs looking at, Boro resemble a squad once again and if the injection of SPL talent gives us the boost we are looking, for it is doubtful there will be too many supporters complaining!
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 5/2/2010
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