Middlesbrough FC news: Celtic urged to sign winger, Leeds man linked with move plus Liverpool legend on Jonathan Woodgate

Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie says the club should consider re-signing Patrick Roberts if they don’t manage to keep Southampton loanee Mohamed Elyounoussi.
Patrick Roberts is on loan at Middlesbrough from Manchester City.Patrick Roberts is on loan at Middlesbrough from Manchester City.
Patrick Roberts is on loan at Middlesbrough from Manchester City.

Roberts, who is on loan at Middlesbrough from Manchester City, impressed at Celtic Park during a two-year loan spell between 2016 and 2018 and has caught the eye at the Riverside since his move in January.

Elyounoussi, 25, made a great start to his Celtic career after joining the SPL side last year but has missed a large part of the campaign through injury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And McAvennie believes Roberts could be an ideal replacement if Elyounoussi leaves the Scottish champions this summer.

“Roberts is a very good player,” McAvennie told Football Insider. “He gave Jamie Forrest a kick up the backside which was great.

“I do not know what is happening with Elyounoussi and if they re-sign him I do not see the need for Roberts.

“The fans would love to see him back though because he was a wonderful player.”

Orta linked with move

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Energy drink giants Red Bull have been linked with a move for Boro’s former head of European recruitment Victor Orta.

Orta left Boro in 2017 before becoming director of football at Leeds United a few months later.

According to the Independent, Red Bull, which owns RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Brasil, have identified Orta as a candidate for their vacant technical director role.

However, reports in Leeds have since claimed Orta hasn’t been approached and is expected to stay at Eland Road.

Liverpool legend surprised by Woodgate departure

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Former Liverpool man John Barnes says he was surprised at Jonathan Woodgate’s Middlesbrough departure earlier this week, but is backing replacement Neil Warnock to keep the Teessiders up.

“I am quite surprised that Woodgate got the sack, but of course, I don’t necessarily think it's because of the first game,” Barnes told BonusCodeBets.

“I’m sure that Middlesbrough don’t see themselves as a League One club, and with some players on big contracts, it won’t do well for them to go down.

“They decided to go for a manager in Neil Warnock, who in the short-term may keep them up in the Championship this season.”