MIDDLESBROUGH have taken to European football like a penguin to icy water but they were last night warned by manager Steve McClaren: "It's time to get serious."

Boro's first adventure into the continental game has been a success with the side progressing into the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

Success over Banik Ostrava in the first round was followed by comprehensive qualification from the group stage - finishing top of Group E ahead of Lazio, Partizan Belgrade, Villarreal and Egaleo.

But, after successfully negotiating the early stages, McClaren believes the celebratory feeling must now turn into a desire to go as far in the competition as they can.

"The UEFA Cup was a welcome distraction but it has now become a bit more serious. Now we are at this stage you can see what's ahead, see what's over the hill," said McClaren, ahead of tonight's first leg with Austria champions Grazer AK.

"A lot of people were just happy for us to just reach the group stage. But to finish top of that was tremendous. It's been great for the supporters but now we have to focus on the job in hand. The players want to do well and we want to reach the last 16 at least.

"People have underestimated us and I'm sure they won't underestimate us again, like when we beat Lazio who were favourites in this competition.

"Maybe the 'L' plates were there because Middlesbrough had never been into Europe before.

''But when you reel off the names of the players we have in our team they have European experience and they arrived expecting to play in Europe.

''So there were no 'L' plates on them. The team was experienced and ready to handle it, but for the club and the supporters it was a new experience."

Grazer have had their undersoil heating switched on for the past ten days to ensure that the game, expected to be played in Arctic conditions, goes ahead.

The Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium will be a sell-out to watch the south east European outfit play their first game since defeating Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the last round on December 15.

Grazer's biggest threat is 15-goal striker Roland Kollmann and McClaren knows all about the player's qualties having witnessed Kollmann score in Austria's 2-2 with England last year.

"Grazer can't be underestimated. Any side that wins their championship will be a very good team," said the England coach. "They are very organised and in Kollmann they have a very good striker who scores plenty, I should know.

"They have had a nice winter break and are refreshed, while we have had a heavy schedule. But who knows whether it's an advantage or disadvantage.

"Going away from home in Europe is twice as difficult. But we have an experienced bunch of players and want to win."

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Reiziger, Riggott, Southgate, Queudrue; Morrison, Parlour, Zenden, Downing; Job, Hasselbaink

Grazer : Schranz; Potscher, Tokic, Sick, Standfest; Muratovic, Amarhauser, Pogatetz, Aufhauser; Bazina, Kollmann.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.