“Kelz knew” – Everything Middlesbrough coach said about Kelechi Iheanacho’s debut goal

Middlesbrough head coach, Michael Carrick, was delighted with Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Promise Iheanacho, after the Nigerian scored his debut goal against Oxford United this evening, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old hit some sort of brick wall as regards scoring goals since he left England to join Spanish La Liga side, Sevilla. A loan move to Middlesbrough in the winter transfer window didn’t seem to help his cause, but after eight games, Iheanacho finally found the back of the net.

The former Leicester City forward tapped home from a Sam-Iling Junior cross to score his first league goal in two years, across several leagues.

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What Carrick said

“Good player, you know, he’s a good player. He’s proven, experienced, and I’m sure he was a bit frustrated because he had a chance in the first half, and it didn’t go in. It hit the crossbar, but that’s football, you know.

“The major thing I’ve learned over the years is to not get carried away when you’re having a sticky patch because the only way you can get out of it is to be positive,” the former Manchester United midfielder said in his post-match presser, quoted from Middlesbrough’s official website.

“I thought the boys stood by each other really well, supported each other really well, and Kelz [Iheanacho] got his reward. It’s a really important goal for us, and I’m sure that’ll kickstart him as well.

“It was a good goal all around. We had good numbers in the box, and it was positive. We tried to make something happen with a bit of good play down the side.”

“He is happy. We are trying to keep the smile off Neto’s face as much as anything! He was delighted too, but Kel knows it. He has played at a level, and goals make you feel a bit better, naturally.

“I wasn’t concerned; I knew he would score, and hopefully, he has got more in him; I am sure he has. It was a massive goal for us,” Carrick concluded.

Middlesbrough are now 7th in the EFL Championship, outside of the playoffs places by goal difference. With the season nearing it’s business end, Carrick’s side need all the wins they can get as they push for top-flight status. However, the former England midfielder revealed they’re far from their goal.

“There is going to be a hell of a lot more ups and downs before the end of the season. We can’t let it affect us. We have to stay positive with it.

“It’s not going to be perfect for us, the staff, and the players. Over the next seven games, it’s about how we manage that. We hope we win every half of football, but we know that’s not how it works, so we have to stay positive. It’s a mental challenge, if anything. We’re excited, we’re in it, and we have a chance,” the one-time UEFA Champions League winner admitted.

For Iheanacho, he’ll be hoping to get on the scoresheet more often to restore his confidence in front of goal and additionally give Eric Chelle more selection headaches going into the AFCON 2025 tournament.