McClaren plotting Boro comeback

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren will call upon the memories of Manchester United’s stunning Champions League final fightback in 1999 as he plots a route to the last four in the UEFA Cup.

McClaren was on the United bench that night in Barcelona when substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struck at the death to break Bayern Munich’s hearts and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

He will send out his Boro side tonight knowing they are up against it if they are to make the semi-finals after losing the first leg 2-0 in Switzerland, but is urging them to be patient.

“People have done it to us, and we have got to turn the tables now and do it to them,” McClaren said.

“We know it’s a mountain to climb, but the pressure is on Basle. Two-nil is a very, very funny scoreline to take into a second leg away from home.

“We know that. Defending a lead is sometimes more difficult, and the pressure is on them.”