Boro discipline pleases McClaren

McClaren would have settled for a 2-1 win before the match

Boss Steve McClaren was understandably pleased with the disciplined display by Middlesbrough in the 2-1 first-leg win over Stuttgart in the Uefa Cup.

He said: "We would have settled for that scoreline before the game. You need to be disciplined and that was what we were.

"We want to do well in the competition, we feel we can but there is a long way to go.

"It is the last third of the season and there is still a lot to play for."

However, McClaren conceded that his initial contentment was somewhat tempered by his side conceding a late goal.

He added: "It is a big disappointment. A clean sheet is most important and conceding a goal is something you don't want to do.

"At 2-0, I knew we would be under pressure in the last 10 minutes but I was disappointed with conceding that. It does leave the tie still open."

Meanwhile, striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who scored Boro's first goal in Germany, hopes that the boost in Europe will be the catalyst to moving Middlesbrough well clear of the relegation zone in the Premiership.

Stuttgart 1-2 Middlesbrough

Boro are currently 16th and he stated: "It has been a very hard time for us but we stuck together, worked hard and we are going in the right direction."

Hasselbaink had been linked with a switch from Boro in the January transfer window but he will now review his situation at the end of the season.

"At this moment in time I want to play football. I will see what will happen at the end of the season."