Two years ago Tony Mowbray was pushing Barry Robson out the door at Celtic into the welcoming arms of Gordon Strachan.
Yesterday Mowbray’s midfield reject scored a stunning 87th minute winner against Hull to delight 27,000 fans at the Riverside and confirm Middlesbrough as genuine play-off contenders.
What was said on Mownray’s first day in the ‘Boro changing room when he took over from Strachan remains a mystery but with Robson, Scott McDonald, Stephen McManus and Willo Flood around it was bound to be memorable.
Robson made his last Celtic appearance on January 3 against Rangers when a goal by substitute Scott McDonald was quickly equalised by Lee McCulloch in a match that summed up Mowbray’s reign.
By the end of the month McDonald had joined Robson at the Riverside but yesterday it was the 33-year-old midfielder that was earning the praise of his gaffer.
“It was a bit of real quality from Barry Robson which won the day,” Mowbray admitted. “It’s not the first time our fans have seen a strike like that from Barry. He’s got that in his boots.
“We played him in three different positions. He started in a central role, played behind the striker and played wide right.
“He doesn’t gripe about it, he just gets on with it, gives 100 per cent and ultimately he’s got a rocket in his left foot when we require it- he produced that just at the right time.
“He’s sat in the dressing room moaning about some of his decisions, where he believes he’s taken the wrong option, instead of saying ‘look at that goal’ and watching it back on the television.
“He’s moaning to himself. He’s a great pro and a great lad and I’m delighted for him that he could make the difference in such a tight game against a real decent side.”
Middlesbrough are in joint second place in the Championship with West Ham and are at home to Peterbrough on Saturday.
CLICK HERE for Kenny Clark slams Rangers cynical appeal
CLICK HERE for Ally McCoist considers McCulloch appeal
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Thank god the Mowbray era at Celtic Park is over I couldn’t take any more on the chin.