AS football reels from the series of scandals which have brought upon it unprecedented shame, two paragons of professionalism meet face-to-face today in a contest featuring all that is good in the game.

Gareth Southgate and Alan Shearer are thirtysomethings who have served their clubs and their country with dignity and distinction.

Colleagues at international level until Newcastle United captain Shearer hung up his England boots three years ago, they conduct themselves with the type of humanity and humility hard to find in many of their younger brethren.

For Middlesbrough skipper Southgate, this afternoon's game at the Riverside is another chance to pit his defensive wits against the wily Shearer, one-time England captain and the striker he rates as "probably the best'' he has had to contend with.

Shearer scored his 250th career League goal a fortnight ago against Southampton, the club who launched him on the path to stardom in 1988.

"If you look at how long he has been performing at the highest level, and certainly since the formation of the Premiership, you have to say he has been the main man and continues to be an enormous threat,'' said Southgate of his fellow 33-year-old.

"You have people like Thierry Henry, who have a completely different style to Alan.

"But Alan has been fantastic all the time he has been playing. England have had to replace him with different types; Michael Owen has been almost as much of a talisman for England as Alan was.

"But I'm sure Sven-Goran Eriksson would have loved to have had the problem of whether to pick Alan or not.

"Alan took a decision to retire from international football and obviously feels that has prolonged his career with Newcastle. He carries the fight for Newcastle, and they have seen the benefit of that.

"When I've worked with Alan, he's always been a very good professional.

"The fact he's still playing and has the same desire at 33 as he did when he was 19 or 20, shows how much he loves playing and scoring goals. That's what gives him the greatest pleasure and I'm sure nothing will ever change in that respect.''

Shearer said: "I'm looking forward to my battle with Gareth. He's always been a top-class defender and as far as I'm concerned his international career is still very much alive.

"He's a great role model. Not only is he a fine defender, but he's also a decent bloke. Youngsters should watch the way he behaves on and off the pitch.''

The failure of England defender Rio Ferdinand to turn up for a routine drugs test sullied football's image further in the wake of rape allegations against Premiership players.

Southgate admitted: "It's always disappointing because we have a duty as players to leave the game in a positive way for the players of the future. Generally, football is in a very healthy state and it's important that we keep it that way.

"But maybe this is the best thing that could have happened. Maybe, because of all the attention on things, it will have a positive effect and improve standards.

"I can only speak for our club and after the things that have gone on, we've had a couple of chats and reaffirmed what our responsibilities are.

"Young lads, somewhere along the line, will let themselves down. As you get older, it's easy to point the finger, but we've all been guilty of doing silly things when we were younger.

"With the massive focus of attention on players at the moment, you have to be seen to be doing the right thing.''

Southgate is not shy when it comes to airing an opinion. In his book, "Woody and Nord: A Football Friendship'', co-written by Oxford goalkeeper and former Crystal Palace teammate Andy Woodman, Southgate aims criticism at England coach Eriksson for his inability to "inspire'' players, and also takes a swipe at former Boro striker Alen Boksic.

Like Fabrizio Ravanelli and Emerson before him, Boksic was prone to a cavalier attitude towards life on Teesside.

In Southgate's book - literally in this instance - there was one rule for the Croatian and one for the rest.

But Southgate is confident Boro have finally shaken off their reputation for being a soft-touch where foreign mercenaries are concerned, and insists the arrival of Spanish World Cup star Gaizka Mendieta is proof of that.

"When you see someone of his quality in your side - he's played at the top at international and club level - it's a terrific boost.

"His attitude and workrate have been first class and he's settled in really well. The attitude of the foreign players here now is very good and their desire to play is very good.

"There's not a problem with any of them as far as I'm concerned. I don't know about the term mercenaries - that might be a bit disrespectful - but I understand that wasn't always the case before.

"I wanted the book to be brutally honest and a true reflection of things, and I believe that's what I have done.''