Downing deal proves Boro's future is bright

Downing signed a new four-year deal yesterday to finally put an end to months of speculation suggesting he could be about to leave the Riverside.

The 19-year-old, who has made eight first-team starts since returning from a two-month loan spell at Sunderland in December, has been tracked by a number of Premiership and First Division sides.

But his decision to commit to his hometown club has delighted McClaren who has high hopes for the talented teenager.

"It's a great coup for this football club," said the Boro boss. "There's been a lot of speculation about his future in recent months, but we've secured it and we're delighted.

"We've told Stewart in the past that he has to make it at his hometown club if he wants to go on in football and that's what he's going to try to do.

"He's one of those old-fashioned left wingers that seem to be going out of the game.

"He can play wide and deliver good crosses, he's quick, and he's comfortable when he's coming inside on his right foot to score goals.

"He's got all of the attributes of a left winger from years ago and there aren't many of them about anymore.

"He's got the potential to go all the way, but I've seen so many players like that in the past. He's got many, many hurdles to get over, and he'll have many setbacks, but it's in his hands."

Downing made his first-team debut in a 1-0 defeat at Ipswich in April 2002, but his career really took off during an impressive spell at the Stadium of Light last year.

The youngster scored three goals in just seven appearances and, while Sunderland were desperate to keep him on Wearside, McClaren was quick to recall him once Boro's injury problems began to mount.

He might not have been able to hold down a starting role since then, but his subsequent performances have oozed far more confidence and assurance than his early displays in a Middlesbrough shirt.

"His time at Sunderland gave him more self-belief," said McClaren. "He did well there and you can see what it's done to him in the games he's played since he came back.

"He wanted to go out on loan. All youngsters reach a stage where, if they're not playing in the first team, they want to go out to get experience.

"We were delighted that he went to Sunderland. Mick McCarthy looked after him well and Stewart did well himself. It worked for both sides.

"Since then he's played in the win at Manchester United and been involved in the Carling Cup. He's had tremendous experience for one so young."

Downing is just one of a number of homegrown youngsters currently rolling off the Middlesbrough production line.

Durham-born Stuart Parnaby has made 14 first-team appearances this season, while Stockton teenager Andrew Davies had every chance of being in the squad for this weekend's game with Birmingham before breaking his leg in the midweek reserve game against Blackburn.

Boro's Rockliffe Park Academy is already recognised as one of the best breeding grounds for young talent in the country and, with their youth team just one step away from a second successive FA Youth Cup final appearance, the club's youngsters know they will be given every chance to impress.

"We give young players the opportunity to come through here," said McClaren. "They wouldn't get that opportunity at other clubs and people know that. Everybody on the outside can say 'I'll send my boy to Middlesbrough' because they know their son will get a great education and, if he's good enough and he's doing the business, he'll get in the first team.

"In any club you look at, the core of the team is the players who have come through the youth system. They're the ones who wear their heart on their sleeve.

"You can see that at Manchester United, but another good example is John Terry at Chelsea. Players like that are the heartbeat of the club and it's what the fans associate with the team they support.

"Ultimately lads like that are the core of the football club - and we've got a tremendous core here."