Promotion A 'Must' For Boro
GORDON STRACHAN says promotion is a must for Boro next season - but he knows many other Championship clubs will feel the same way.
Chairman Steve Gibson made it clear that bouncing back into the top flight formed the central component of Strachan's job description when he appointed him last season. And the manager believes he knows exactly what he needs from the team he's assembling to get out of this division.
"We must win promotion," said Strachan. "But there will be another eight teams saying, 'We must win promotion'. "I've learned something as a manager in every campaign and I've learned something quite quickly about this league.
"I was fortunate enough to be in the Champions League for three years with Celtic. I had a team full of character and that character wasn't enough at times.
"In the Champions League your ability is really tested. In this league, it's a different thing - your character is what's tested. I know the people's characters and we're a long way from what I want of a team."
As well as being busy in the transfer market this summer, having already snapped up Livingston's Andy Halliday, Strachan will be hoping several of Boro's emerging stars will build on the progress they have made in recent months.
The manager has particularly high hopes for 16-year-old forward Luke Williams, who recently signed a new long-term professional contract and who started the last two games of the season.
"Luke can be an exceptional footballer," he said. "He's done well, he was excellent at Leicester, especially after he'd done some hard training. He's worked hard, the kid."
Strachan revealed that Angola-born England youth international Bruno Pilatos, who has also signed a pro deal, came close to being given his full debut as Boro ended the season at the Walkers Stadium.
"It was a choice between Kyle Naughton and young Bruno for centre midfield," he said. "If Bruno had been playing at his best for the Reserves then I might have played him, but he's not been doing that.
"It wouldn't be fair on him to go into the first team when he's not playing at his best."
http://www.mfc.co.uk/articles/20100517/promotion-a-must-for-boro_70638_2053699
