'Bangura display gave me goosebumps' - Hellberg

Kim Hellberg praised a "brilliant" performance from Alex Bangura, insisting the defender showed players can force their way into his plans with effort on the training ground.

Bangura, 26, has not played for Boro for 18 months, with his last appearance coming at the end of the 2023-24 season.

But after impressing the new manager in two sessions at training this week he was rewarded with a start and 90 minutes as Middlesbrough came from behind to beat Derby County.

"I heard he hadn't played in a long while but he showed me that he has so much skills and a good attitude in training," said Hellberg.

"I thought his performance today was brilliant. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Coming in after 22 months and doing that over 90 minutes fighting against a tough team was brilliant.

"It is also important to show the players that if you perform in training you get the chance to play."

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