GARETH SOUTHGATE has been hailed as the inspiration behind Middlesbrough's chase for a Premiership record.

Resolute Boro need to keep an eighth successive clean sheet at Blackburn on Boxing Day then stop Manchester United from scoring for 35 minutes at the Riverside on Sunday, to beat Arsenal's record set five years ago.

Boro veteran Colin Cooper, who has figured in six of his side's seven shut-outs so far, handed the credit for the run to Southgate.

The Boro skipper is again being linked with United as they seek a replacement for Rio Ferdinand, with the England centre-back's eighth-month ban looming.

Cooper insists Southgate eclipses Gary Pallister as the most accomplished defender he has played with.

"He is the best defender I've played alongside," confirmed Cooper, who recently made the 700th senior appearance of his career.

"I played alongside Gary Pallister, but he was younger and I wasn't with him when he was in his pomp at Manchester United.

"I played with him when he came back here, but he had a few injuries then. Gareth is so solid he is the best - a great skipper and he is also a fanstastic bloke."

Cooper, 37 in February, is a year younger than Arsenal's Martin Keown and, like the England defender, is hoping to sign another contract extension next summer.

"I played with Martin at Under-21 level, but he has played at the top level a lot more than me,'' said Cooper.

"He doesn't play too many Premiership games now, but he is there playing in the Champions League.

"I can understand why he wants to play on. He is very strong mentally, a competitor who still wants to win as much as ever."

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