Steve McClaren last night reassured Middlesbrough fans that his future lay at the Riverside preparing his side for their second European campaign after a day of drama at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The Boro boss was again linked with the England job over the weekend with current incumbent Sven-Goran Eriksson expected to quit after next year's World Cup finals in Germany.

But after seeing his side gain the point they needed at Manchester City to qualify for the UEFA Cup thanks to an injury time penalty save from Mark Schwarzer, McClaren was keen to dismiss talk of his England future.

"I've said all along - people have mentioned this and England - my ambition lies with Middlesbrough Football Club," said McClaren.

"I'm drained at the moment, but I'm excited about this season, about next season, about the future.

"The chairman shares my ambitions and that's all I'm thinking about at the moment. That and England hopefully qualifying for next year's World Cup final and going with them to the World Cup.

"The future's bright for Middlesbrough and for myself."

McClaren admitted he was physically and mentally drained after watching his side take the lead yesterday, give away a goal at the start of the second half and then endure a bizarre last ten minutes.

A 30-yard first-half free-kick special from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was cancelled by Kiki Musampa before a dramatic ending.

City brought on substitute goalkeeper Nick Weaver and put their number one David James up front - after City boss Stuart Pearce later revealed he had a dream about James scoring and had pre-planned for his goalkeeper to play up-front if scores were level late on - before Weaver made a great save from Stewart Downing.

The home side went up the other end and won a penalty following, but Robbie Fowler's spot kick was saved by Mark Schwarzer.

"To go to the final minutes after 38 games and for it all to hinge on incidents such as that penalty it's amazing when you think about success and failure," said McClaren. "It's such a thin line. I'm pleased to be on the right lines for success. I'm delighted for the players, it's a great achievement.

"The progress we've made over four years has been very rapid. To qualify for Europe through the League is very important - it shows the progress we've made.

"We now want to get into that top six and to stay in it. We've got to have the ambition to get into the top six."

McClaren's chairman Steve Gibson has issued an astonishing rebuke to Eriksson by insisting the England manager ''sometimes says too much too often.''

Gibson was responding to Eriksson's claim last week that the next England manager would be an Englishman.

The chairman, though, feels Eriksson should keep his opinions to himself.

''I have met Sven on numerous occasions and sometimes he says too much too often,'' he said.

''I think he should really get on with doing his job. I'm not aware it is the role of the current England manager to select the next England manager.

"What I am aware of is that Steve works with Eriksson in the England set up, and has an ambition to one day be England manager.''

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