MICHAEL Carrick believes Riley McGree is coming into form at exactly the right time for Middlesbrough, with the midfielder having put the frustrations of a "funny season" behind him.

McGree's stunner against Birmingham City on Tuesday night - a "wow moment", said Carrick - fired Boro to their third successive Championship victory and moved them to within five points of the top six with nine games to play.

The Australian international played a starring role for Boro last season but it's been a different story this term. He made just six starts before suffering a problematic foot injury that sidelined him for two months and then he returned and made just three appearances from the bench before joining up with the Australia squad for the Asia Cup.

But in recent weeks McGree has finally found the rhythm he's been craving and has started seven successive games, ending his five-month wait for a goal with his matchwinning strike at St Andrew's.

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“He has had a funny season really, and he was only just coming back into it after injury before he went away for internationals," said Carrick.

"He was starting to have an impact and finding his spark again when he came on at Rotherham and Huddersfield over Christmas. Once he got back, he’s been finding his rhythm again and hopefully he’s coming into that real vein of form because now is the time when we need it.”

McGree is one of several players in the Boro squad who Carrick believes belongs at a higher level when they're at their best.

He said: “I think all the boys are capable of going higher. It’s obviously about being consistent to show that.

"There are a lot of players in this league who are capable of making that step up. It comes down to having those performances regularly enough.”

McGree has put together quite the collection of stunning goals since joining Boro and his winner against Birmingham was right up there.

“I don’t think you can expect that, more just hope for it," said Carrick.

"It was a pure strike from Riley and he’s capable of them moments. He’s had one or two of them wow moments and top goals.

"It was a hell of a strike and fitting to win any game. He’s capable of that and he’s capable of even better overall because we’re just finding a way at the moment. To do that you need moments of real quality like that. There were moments of quality in the game and that was the standout one."

McGree previously enjoyed a loan spell at Birmingham and didn't celebrate against his former club.

Carrick said: "He’s down to earth, humble and very respectful. I certainly understand why he didn’t celebrate."