Dominic Shaw: Ben Gibson wasn't fazed on his dream night, he did Teesside proud

It was one of the proudest moments of his career so far but Ben Gibson certainly wasn't fazed on the big stage in familiar surroundings.

In fact, he looked at home on the international stage in the heart of England's defence. Once again, it's hard to believe that it's little over a year since he first broke into Boro's backline as a regular starter.

There was an air of pride around the Riverside. Pride in one of our own, developed through the Academy, established himself in the team, destined for the top.

Former boss Stuart Pearce has picked his England Under-21s side for the first game of the European Championships this morning and there's no sign of Gibson either in the starting XI or on the bench.

That won't concern the classy defender one bit. For Pearce is the ex-boss for a reason and current gaffer Gareth Southgate has repeatedly reiterated his admiration for Boro's young Lion.

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He did again after the game last night, praising the defender for coping with the pressure of playing in front of the home crowd.

"It's not easy," he said.

Gibson certainly didn't make it look difficult. Solid at the back alongside John Stones, a Premier League regular who, for me, should be be in the senior squad ahead of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, Boro's defensive rock continues to develop at a terrific rate.

And this was no exhibition friendly, the type we all tire of watching. Germany are a class act and will be among the favourites to win the European Championships this summer.

England will be buoyed by their display and Gibson should take heart from his own performance.

His dream night was almost even capped off with a goal, rising highest in the first half to direct a header on goal that was superbly saved by German stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

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Southgate revealed that Gibson didn't train until Friday last week as he was nursing an injury.

Niggle or not, there was no way the 21-year-old was missing the chance to walk out in national colours on home turf.

Aitor Karanka was in the Riverside crowd last night and will have taken a sigh of relief at the sight of Gibson making way late on with no signs of an injury.

And the boss will have undoubtedly shared the pride of the fans.

The chance to play for your country in your own back yard doesn't come round very often and Ben Gibson took it in his stride, as he has done with everything in his career so far.