BOLO ZENDEN believes the true worth of Middlesbrough's memorable achievements in last season's Carling Cup are only now beginning to be felt on Teesside.

Boro's success over Bolton at the Millennium Stadium in February was dismissed by many as the trophy the top clubs were not interested in - yet it was still the club's first ever major piece of silverware.

Nevertheless, while Arsenal and Manchester United chose to field weakened sides, manager Steve McClaren took it seriously and his decision was vindicated by claiming a route into Europe.

The prospect of playing in the UEFA Cup was a huge factor in McClaren's powers of persuasion during the summer, as he added five top-class players to his squad.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Michael Reziger, Mark Viduka, Ray Parlour and Zenden all signed permanent deals at the Riverside and Middlesbrough are looking a real force this season.

Thursday's comfortable victory over Banik Ostrava, ahead of the return leg on September 30, has given McClaren's men a super chance of progressing into the group stage.

And Zenden admits the prospect of playing European football helped Middlesbrough to land their targets and insists there is a chance of more glory this season, possibly even on the continent.

"If we are competing in it then there's always a possibility that we can win it," said Zenden. "But we have to take it game by game. We have to play the second leg first and then it will be interesting to see the teams we will meet in the group stage.

"It was very important that we won something last year because that meant that we could play in Europe. That has allowed us to attract players. We have got five players in and they all have experience and are high quality players.

"If we were not playing in Europe then it would have been more difficult to get the players in. We have a great staff and management and everyone talks positively about them."

Zenden knew exactly what he was coming to when he signed a 12-month contract, having spent last season on loan.

The Holland international had set his sights on playing Champions League football but, after being released by Chelsea, the left-winger is now channelling all his talents towards boosting Middlesbrough's cause.

"I had a good time last year and winning the Cup to get us into Europe helped me come back," said Zenden, who cost Chelsea £7.5m from PSV in 2001.

"I also knew Middlesbrough had a great coaching staff working with manager Steve McClaren and that is good to know when you are signing. They're very positive and they definitely helped me.

"Playing in Europe and the big tournaments is what big players want to do; be it the UEFA or the Champions League. But it's also good to know I'm playing regularly and not just watching it."

Following Thursday's first ever European night at the Riverside, Middlesbrough go back to the grind of the Premiership tomorrow with a trip to Everton.

They have lost just one of their opening five league matches this season and have won their last three - results that have pushed the club up to fourth.

But, despite enjoying their best goalscoring start to a top-flight campaign since 1950, Zenden is not looking beyond trying to help Middlesbrough achieve their highest ever finish.

"It's way too early to talk about the top four," said the 28-year-old. "We have to set the goals and at the minute those are the top six. We can not look beyond that until nearer the end of the season. Then we will look to see where we are in the league and maybe push on even further.

"We want to keep our run going. We can't relax and we know Everton are a difficult team to beat. Jimmy and Mark have both scored the goals for us and that's good because they have hardly had time to settle.

"To have players like that up front can make the difference to the whole team. They can score the goal that is required and that's what we saw on Thursday night."

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has thanked the supporters for their backing during the win over Ostrava.

The fans chanted Gibson's name throughout, paying tribute to the way the man from South Bank has bank-rolled the club over the past ten years.

And he said: "It's nice to get the approval of the people that matter and the football club is nothing without them. We have a knowledgeable crowd here and they know what we are trying to do. They have been very patient, we have had our downs and now we are on an up. Now we want to try to sustain that for as long as we can.

"The Carling Cup is a big base for us. That was the first trophy but we have to move on. That's the first step up the ladder but we want more. It's an exciting time and the players have proved they can move us forward."

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