MIDDLESBROUGH defender David Wheater believes that Gareth Southgate made him the player he is today and insists it will take a big figure to fill the gap left by his former boss.

When Gordon Strachan takes charge of team affairs next week he will inherit local talent like Wheater, produced by the club’s Rockliffe Park academy and nurtured by Southgate.

Wheater has hailed the influence that Southgate had on his career, first as inspirational figure in the Boro defence then as manager.

Under his tutelage Wheater broke into the senior England ranks and the Redcar-born centre-half reckons Southgate proved to be an ideal rolemodel.

“Gareth was a massive influence on my career,” confirmed Wheater, who is expected to continue his defensive partnership with Sean St Ledger at Deepdale this afternoon.

“I used to look up to him when he was Middlesbrough captain. He was one of the best defenders of his generation so I could hardly have a better person as a mentor. My game came on in leaps and bounds under him and I have a lot to thank him for.”

Asked whether he would be happy to see Strachan installed as Southgate’s replacement, Wheater said: “I have read in the papers that he is the front-runner but we haven’t heard anything internally.

“I don’t know Gordon Strachan so I can’t really say if I think it will be a good appointment but he seems to be a character. It will take a big character to fill Gareth’s shoes but it’s up to the chairman.

The players don’t usually get a say in these things.”

Wheater has revealed that the timing of Southgate’s sacking, coming an hour or so after an impressive 2-0 win against Watford, sent shockwaves through the squad.

“I was driving home when I got a text saying that Gareth was gone. To be honest I thought it was a wind-up so I called Gareth himself to check it out,’’ he admitted.

“When he confirmed that it was true I was just stunned. I told him how sorry I was that he was going.

“He seemed OK about things, he told me that he wasn’t going to get upset and it was part of football and you just have to take it on the chin.

“He wished me luck and told me just to focus on myself and not let it distract me. I must admit that it feels strange not having him around the place.

“But Colin Cooper is someone we all know and trust so that gives us continuity going into the Preston game.

“Colin is a safe pair of hands, a great coach so I have no problem with him being in charge.”