Agnew echoes Gibson’s vow to smash way back

MIDDLESBROUGH stand-in boss Steve Agnew has backed chairman Steve Gibson’s vow to “smash’’ the Championship.

The Boro chief reacted to his club’s relegation by underlining his determination to storm straight back into the Premier League.

And Agnew, who failed to keep his side in the top flight after head coach Aitor Karanka was axed in March, has no doubt that the owner means business.

He believes Gibson’s hunger for success will be vital as Boro look to dispel the disappointment of going down only a year after promotion.

Agnew said: “He’s Middlesbrough through and through – he loves the club.

“He will do everything in his power to make sure we’re challenging at the top of the Championship.

“He’s motivated, determined and hungry and when he shows those qualities – which he does very often – then success follows.’’

Middlesbrough centre-back Ben Gibson – the chairman’s nephew – added his approval.

He said: “I think it was brilliant. It’s been a rubbish season and the chairman’s statement is just what we needed to hear.

“If you rewind a year, we’d have probably said, ‘Even if we come back down we’ll be in a better position because of the parachute payments’.

“It sounds to me that’s what the chairman believes. He says he wants to smash the Championship and he’s going to provide the resources to do so.’’

Agnew almost certainly takes charge of Boro for the final time today against Liverpool at Anfield and is likely to revert to a coaching role when a new manager is appointed.

But he has been struck by the increased all-round quality in the Premier League.

He said: “With the speed all over the pitch and more powerful players, the game has got quicker with a higher level of technical ability and that all-in combination produces a top-quality footballer.

“There are more of those types of players in every squad in the Premier League.’’

And Agnew reckons there has been a knock-on effect in the Championship.

He said: “The quality of the players sifts down. It makes for a competitive division.’’

CLIVE HETHERINGTON