Middlesbrough assistant reveals Neil Warnock's message ahead of Bournemouth draw and discusses Paddy McNair impact

Browne came off the bench to score his first goal for Boro and earn the Teessiders a point nine minutes from time.

The visitors had opened the scoring in the first half through Dominic Solanke, yet Boro deserved something from the Championship encounter which was watched by 1,000 fans.

Warnock wasn’t in attendance after testing positive for COVID-19 but was in contact with his first-team staff via Zoom.

First-team assistant Kevin Blackwell spoke to the press after the match and was full of praise for his players.

“I think anybody who saw that performance would be pleased. We were excellent from start to finish,” he said.

“There was no let-up whatsoever, and even though it was a fortuitous goal from them, it didn’t knock the lads’ effort.

“They continued performing and it was an excellent finish from Browney in the end, and a goal we thoroughly deserved.

“What pleased me was the energy. When we had to make the tackles we made the tackles, and when we needed to play, we played.”

Browne came on in the 69th minute and played as a central striker after Ashley Fletcher picked up a knock.

After joining Boro last summer, Browne endured a tricky start to his time on Teesside and was loaned out to Oxford in League One last season.

The 22-year-old is very much part of Boro’s first-team plans this season, though, and can play in multiple positions.

“Neil said before the game let’s look to use Browney up there and it was a great shout,” added Blackwell.

“It was fantastic. The technology now meant Neil could speak to the boys before the warm-up. And he had a chat at the end and let them know how proud he was.

“He hardly called throughout the game, to be fair, because the performance was that good.

“What we want from Marcus is that energy. We know he’s quite quick over a few yards and we’re working on a bit of strength so he’s not too easily bullied off the ball.

He can move the ball and strike it though, so it’s just about him getting up to the tempo we demand. If he can, he has a part to play.”

Blackwell was also asked about Paddy McNair who once again started in a back three but produced an excellent display and assisted Browne’s equaliser.

“I thought Paddy was excellent at left-sided centre-back, and when he got forward he was good. What a great ball in,” said Blackwell.

“Right now, Paddy McNair is playing at the very top of his game, and he has been right throughout pre-season. You can see why he is an international player.

“He’s matured, and certainly since we’ve been here he’s got better and better.

“I think it’s surprised us how much quality he has got.”

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