STEVE McCLAREN last night insisted that Middlesbrough have the belief to carry them to an FA Cup final appearance at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on May 4.
Boro booked a last-four place with yesterday's 3-0 home win over Everton, and a buoyant McClaren declared: "We always believe we can win and we have to be no different when the semi-final comes along.
"It's a great opportunity for us. It's a one-off game and anything can happen.''
The Boro boss admitted he was literally lost for words during the half-time interval after his side stunned Everton with a three-goal burst in seven minutes before the break.
Skipper Paul Ince, who performed cartwheels of delight after grabbing the third goal three minutes from the interval, took the half-time team talk as McClaren sat back and sipped a cup of tea.
"I didn't know what to do at half-time. We've never been in such a comfortable position before,'' said McClaren.
"Every game has been close. We've always said we need a third goal in games and once we got it, the game was over.
"The pleasing thing was that the players more or less did the team talk for me - and I had a cup of tea.
"Paul Ince, especially, knew what the position was and that there should be no complaceny in the second half.
"I thought all the players were magnificent - and I think that was probably Jonathan Greening's best game for the club."
McClaren had a dig at Match of the Day anchor man Gary Lineker for a sarcastic quip aimed at Boro and his former club on the eve of the game.
Lineker suggested the tie wouldn't be a thriller, but McClaren said: "People seem to be labelling us in some respect, but we don't really care what they say about us.
"We've played 15 games and lost only two since we beat Everton here on New Year's Day.
"Things have been said for weeks now, but we've got bigger priorities than that and the biggest is the Premiership and getting the points we need for safety.''
Paul Gascoigne endured a humiliating afternoon on his former stamping ground, where he had returned in triumph last season.
Gazza admitted: "It was a mad seven minutes when he lost the goals. We were in control until then. But I wish Boro all the best.''
Meanwhile, Everton boss Walter Smith vowed to fight on after fans called for his head.
Chants of "we want Walter out'' were heard in the second half and Smith admitted his side now face a "grim'' struggle for top-flight survival.
"I'll soldier on,'' insisted Smith. "I've done it before and I'll do it again.
"Managers always get that sort of thing - it comes with the territory.
"The expectations at Everton are probably greater than other clubs in a similar situation. Players and managers at Everton have to handle bigger expectations.''
Smith also denied that the absent David Ginola had stormed off after being relegated to the bench for the midweek game against West Ham.
"I wasn't going to use him here,'' said Smith. "I said he could go home for the weekend. If people consider that storming out, it's up to them.
"I just had a chat with him. There was no Gallic flourish and he'll be back with us on Tuesday.''
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