Middlesbrough FC news: Pundit praises Marcus Browne's ability plus potential Patrick Roberts to Celtic deal questioned

Neil Warnock is the right manager to get the best out of Marcus Browne, according to one of the playmaker’s former team-mates Stephen Warnock.
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Browne marked his first league start of the season with a goal at Wycombe on Saturday. helping Boro come from behind to win 3-1 at Adams Park.

Former defender Warnock played alongside Browne when the pair were at Wigan in 2017 and says his talent was never in doubt.

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Speaking on the EFL’s highlights show on Quest, Warnock said: “Browne came in from West Ham, a very talented boy, attitude perhaps not the best, sometimes you need the right fit of a manager.

Marcus Browne made his first league start of the season for Middlesbrough against Wycombe.Marcus Browne made his first league start of the season for Middlesbrough against Wycombe.
Marcus Browne made his first league start of the season for Middlesbrough against Wycombe.

Neil Warnock is great working with players that are a bit of enigma and trying to get them on the right track”

Boro boss Warnock admitted after the match he considered sending Browne out on loan at the start of the season, following the player’s spell at Oxford last campaign.

“He had a bit of an attitude around the training ground, a little bit arrogant at times,” said Warnock. “He came back and trained hard pre-season and did ever so well.

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“I wanted to play him (in November) but he did his hamstring at the last minute.

“I just wanted to give him a chance. I thought it was an ideal time today because the way they play with that anchor midfield man.”

Roberts would be welcomed back at Celtic

Former Scotland manager Alex Alex McLeish says Patrick Roberts would be welcomed back at Celtic if he leaves Middlesbrough this month.

The 23-year-old has made just three starts for Boro since returning to the Riverside on loan from Manchester City, leading to uncertainty about his future.

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Reports have suggested that Celtic, where Roberts spent two years on loan between 2016 and 2018, are monitoring Roberts’ situation.

Reacting to the recent speculation, McLeish told Football Insider: “Well I’m sure he sees Celtic as another home from his parent club but he’ll be disappointed with the Middlesbrough experience that he didn’t nail it there.

“That would possibly affect his form and his confidence but it looks as if he’d be welcomed back to Celtic if he became available again.

“In saying that, the way Celtic are going at the moment, they’ve got the new players in the team, (James) Forrest may be on the way back, will they really need him?

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“They’ve got a bunch of new guys who have scored goals, they’ve come into the team, done well initially, then struggled and come back again. Maybe there’s not a space for him but that’s not for me to give you a definitive answer.”

Boro players named in team of the weekend

Finally, three Boro players were included in the WhoScored.com Team of the Weekend following the 3-1 win at Wycombe.

Two of Boro’s three goalscorers - Marcus Tavernier and Chuba Akpom - were named in the XI, along with Paddy McNair.

Four Norwich players, Ben Gibson, Jacob Sorensen, Emi Buendia and Todd Cantwell, also made the side after the Canaries beat Barnsley 1-0.

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