Homegrown defender Ben Gibson has heaped praise on Boro’s Academy after picking up the North-east Writers’ Young Player of the Year award on Sunday.
Gibson has established himself in Aitor Karanka’s first-team this season after breaking through Boro’s renowned Rockliffe Academy.
The 21-year-old had loan spells at Plymouth, York City and Tranmere on the road to becoming a first-team star, but now the future is at his feet.
After also excelling for Gareth Southgate’s England Under-21s this season, Gibson admitted it’s been a fantastic year - and gave credit to Boro’s Academy for his latest accolade.
“The Academy has been a great product line for Boro and that’s down to the people from the bottom to the top,” Gibson told BBC Look North.
“You’ve got a manager (Aitor Karanka) who trusts young players and isn’t afraid to throw them in. That’s testament to the staff at Boro who’ve been there right from the beginning and long may that continue.”
Gibson was recognised at Sunday’s event at the Ramside Hall Hotel after an incredible 12 months which has seen him become a first-choice defender at Boro, as well playing a crucial role in England Under-21s’ qualification for next summer’s European Championships.
But the taste of injustice was still clear to see for Gibson on Sunday, less than 24 hours after Blackburn’s controversial late equaliser at the Riverside.
Gibson admitted it was a tough blow to take, but said the team can’t dwell on that disappointment.
“It happens in football, it’s gone and we’re now on to the next game at Millwall on Saturday,” he said.
“Especially in the Championship when the games thick and fast, if you dwell too much on the good times or bad times you will struggle.
“You need to move on from things fast and look ahead to the next game.
“That’s the good thing about the Championship - if you do have a bad week you don’t have to wait long for the next opportunity to come along and put it right.”
Boro were set to go joint top of the division as Patrick Bamford’s strike saw Boro lead 1-0 in the final exchanges against Rovers - but Rudy Gestede’s leveller means the Teessiders sit fifth in the league.
But having only lost one of their last 13 games, Karanka’s side head to the New Den in fine form with the top two firmly in their sights.
“You can feel (the excitement) in the streets”, Gibson said.
“Whenever you go into a restaurant people are talking about Middlesbrough and are excited about the prospect of this year.
“But as a team we’re taking one game at a time. You can’t get carried away in this league because it will bring you back down to earth.”
The senior award was won by ex-Boro midfielder Lee Cattermole, who is now at rivals Sunderland.
No comments:
Post a Comment