Of all of Strachan's 'Scottish invasion' January transfer signings, the one which caused the most buzz around the Riverside was Scott McDonald.
McDonald has the kind of goal scoring pedigree (Champion's League finals etc) which makes Boro fans get cautiously excited - we would get more excited if we weren't still so bruised over Alves.
And while he may be Scott by name, and indeed made his name playing for one of the biggest team's in Scotland, he is not in fact Scottish.
Although both his parents are 'die-hard Celtic fans', most of the Boro faithful have now heard McDonald's Australian accent in interviews.
Having already impressed the tough Teessiders by volunteering to play with a pain numbing injection in his first match at the Riverside, we have seen flashes of brilliance from McDonald, and a confidence in his ability which is very reassuring in our young team.
What we haven't seen yet from the Aussie is a goal, but you get the feeling with McDonald that one is all it will take for him to start firing Boro up the table (fingers crossed).
At his press unveiling (prior to the Ipswich match) the Aussie international was equally confident in his ability to bring goals to the Boro.
When asked if he thought he was capable of scoring enough goals to propel Boro into the play-offs, McDonald, said: "I'm looking forward to it, it's a massive challenge but hopefully something I can achieve.
"I've always scored wherever i've been and hopefully I can do the same for Middlesbrough.
"Everyone will be looking to see if I can do the same here.
"I'll keep getting better and better and with the World Cup at the end of the season that was a massive factor [for the move] as well.
"I believe I can score goals anywhere. I've scored in Champions League games and so hopefully I can continue to do score here."
McDonald explained that being a Celtic player was like 'living in a goldfish bowl' as the fans were 'obsessed' and the Scottish press generally confined their interest to just the Old Firm clubs, Celtic and Rangers.
" Day to day life, you never get a minutes peace, you have to live it 24 7 and we come with a winning mentality, hopefully we can bring that to Middlesbrough football club."
Not that McDonald, was complaining, he admitted to rather liking the fame, saying: Listen, its part of it, [being a professional footballer] its a great feeling. It is what you do it for as well. Financial concerns come into it too.
"It can be [difficult], over a season, but obviously you like that as well, we are footballers.
"And playing for Celtic? both my parents are massive Celtic fans, so I was brainwashed into worshipping them!"
Boro are not high on the national media's list of priorities right now (or ever really), but north east football fans as as passionate as they come, and our aim for the end of the season (apart from sneaking up through the play-offs) is to beat Newcastle. We understand rivarly.
A phrase repeated by all the SPL recruits was that they were 'scared to even draw' as 'a draw is not good enough' at the top of the SPL.
It is this mentality which Strachan has bought, in bulk.
And of course, the players themselves are big fans of Gordon Strachan.
McDonald, credits Strachan with an improvement of his overall play while at Celtic.
"He has a belief in us and the pressure of having to win. He said "It improved my football playing under Gordon Strachan, I look forward to working with him and a great bunch of lads."
The Aussie also made a point of praising Boro chairman Steve Gibson, saying:"It's often said that Gibson is the best chairman in football and from what the manager has said, he firmly believes that too."
Nottingham Forest away may not be taking on Manchester United in the Champions League, but it would still be an excellent time for McDonald to get off the mark.
I am confident McDonald will establish himself as a proflific goalscorer in the Boro line- up. The only question now is who from Jeremie Aliadiere, Lee Miller, Chris Killen or Leroy Lita will earn the right to play alongside him.
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 19/2/2010
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