Amid recent rumours over a potential move to Celtic, Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder has opened up on Paddy McNair’s future. The former Sunderland star revived his career in North Yorkshire as he cemented a starting role banking on the versatility he offers both in defence as well as in the middle of the park.
“We don’t have to fight hard to keep hold of him really because he’s our player and he understands where we are trying to get to. Until I get a phone call, which I haven’t, everybody is here and fighting to get into the team and producing good performances.”
Wilder told Belfast Telegraph addressing the speculations surrounding the Northern Irishman.
Boro dismissed Neil Warnock last month and appointed the ex-Sheffield United chief as their new gaffer. They have made significant progress in recent weeks and are only a couple of points behind a playoff place midway through the campaign. McNair has been standout down the left-hand side of a three-man backline and the manager must retain his services to meet season objectives beyond winter.
Celtic have recovered from early jitters and are enjoying a boisterous run under the tutelage of Ange Postecoglou. Despite multiple injury concerns, the Hoops have conquered the Scottish League Cup crown on Sunday evening defeating Hibernian at Hampden Park. They are keeping pace with Rangers in the Premiership race but, at the same time, might undergo crisis due to fixture congestion unless they strengthen themselves in January.
How McNair Would Improve Celtic Both In Midfield And The Defensive Third
The Bhoys roped in Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt back in summer following the egress of Kristoffer Ajer. Christopher Jullien is still recovering from a knee injury picked up earlier this year and the Glasgow giants are left with academy graduate Stephen Welsh as the only other central defensive option. Nir Bitton and the other summer signing Liam Scales might slot in as a makeshift if required, however, the quality is missing at times given the intensity and aggression of Scottish football.
Postecoglou prefers a ‘midfield three’ of Callum McGregor, Tom Rogic and David Turnbull. Bitton, Ismaila Soro and James McCarthy are there to challenge and cover in the centre of the pitch, but they have been highly unimpressive in limited opportunities. The former Manchester United starlet would be a massive coup for the Celts if a deal is eventually struck in the coming days.
