Skip to content

Boro duo raring to go

Image: Thomson: Hoping to hit the ground running after an injury hit first season at the Riverside

Kevin Thomson is looking to make an impact on the way to helping Middlesbrough back to the top flight.

Halliday looking to hone pre-season fitness

Kevin Thomson is looking to make an impact on the way to helping Middlesbrough back to the top flight. The midfielder was forced to sit out a significant portion of last season after picking up a fractured fibula in just his second game for the club. The former Rangers man demonstrated his worth on his return, making an impressive impact during the final six matches of the season. "You could see how much the boys were up for it from the way we finished last season so strongly," he said. "The key is to get off to a good start this August and help get Middlesbrough back into the Premier League. "That was my stated ambition when I came here last year but I was under no illusions that it would be easy. But I am confident we have got enough in this squad to beat anyone in this league. "It was frustrating last season. I'd come from a team that had been winning every week, but the Championship is a hard league and very unpredictable - it makes me laugh when the bookies name their favourites because it is so difficult to call. "Fingers crossed, we will start strongly in August and have a more pleasing season. It was good to get some games under my belt towards the end of the last campaign and I want to pick up from where I left off."

Reporting for duty

Another Boro player raring to go ahead of the new season is Andrew Halliday, who has been doing his utmost to top up fitness levels ahead of a new campaign. The 19-year-old has sought the help of his former Glasgow PE teacher to ensure he is in top shape upon his return to pre-season training. "He's a keen marathon runner, so it's hard!" said Halliday. "I'm hoping it will give me the extra edge when we come back for pre-season in a couple of weeks. It's going to be an important season for me and I want to make a good start. "Last season was a bit upside down for me. I started well and got games before I was injured. Then I was back in the frame towards the end and hopefully I was able to show the new manager that I have something to offer. "That's why I want to come back as fit as possible and feature in as many games as possible next season." "I feel as though I learned a lot after coming down from Scotland and it is good to get that first year under my belt. All players will tell you that the first year at any new club can be a challenge."

Around Sky