'They were pivotal': Neil Warnock's glowing assessment on ex-Middlesbrough duo ahead of Birmingham City trip

Warnock took charge of Boro’s final eight games during the 2019/20 campaign, when several players’ contracts were set to expire.

Friend and Clayton, who had spent eight and six years at the club respectively, both fell into that category but decided to make themselves available for the Teessiders’ final seven games in July.

After becoming free agents, Friend and Clayton then joined Birmingham City, Boro’s opponents this weekend, in the summer to join up with former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka.

Friend is likely to miss Saturday’s game through injury but Warnock was still quick to praise two of his former players ahead of the match.

“I thought it was the right time for both of them to move on and when I had conversations with them they were both excellent,” said Warnock when discussing Friend and Clayton.

“They have been fabulous servants for the club and I was delighted and rang both of them up when they signed for Birmingham and said how delighted I was for both of them.

“They both wanted to play on and weren’t bothered about an easy way out. They wanted to stay in the Championship if they could and all credit to them.

“When I was here they were pivotal to staying up last season, I know Adam didn’t play many games last year but around the dressing room he was fantastic.

“I thanked him at the end of the season for what he did, he could have been a bit of trouble if he wanted to but never once did he cause me any trouble, he was so supportive.

“And George, you can’t get a better pro than George Friend. You’d go a long way to find anyone better than him.”

Warnock also praised Blues boss Karanka, who won promotion to the Premier League with Boro in 2016.

"I’ve always got on well with him and he’ll want to do well,” added Warnock when asked about the Spaniard.

"It’s a big club Birmingham, what I call a sleeping giant and is always a club I’ve thought should be right up there.”

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