Cool, calm, collected and respected - Boro's coach and mentor

IF ADI Viveash leads Middlesbrough against Oxford United this afternoon as impressively as he held court in the Rockliffe press room on Thursday afternoon then Boro are in good hands.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Viveash has stepped in as caretaker boss of Boro after Rob Edwards’ decision to leave for Wolves.

He took charge of the victory over Birmingham City too, but this weekend is slightly different in that the former Chelsea and Coventry City coach has led the whole week of training and match preparation ahead of the Championship clash at the Kassam.

The 56-year-old has impressed many within the club’s training ground over the past couple of weeks, a period he admits himself have been “challenging”.

The dignity with which Viveash has conducted himself has not gone unnoticed, and it’s for that exact reason that Boro’s hierarchy are so keen to ensure he plays a key role in impending new head coach Kim Hellberg's team.

Before that, however, Viveash must lead Boro against Oxford - and also, it’s expected, against former club Coventry next week too.

It may not be the most ideal circumstances, but Viveash is certainly carrying himself impressively. Having spoke so well after the Birmingham win in such difficult circumstances, he was back in front of the media on Thursday to preview the trip to Oxford.

Spending 45 minutes answering questions, Viveash showed his true colours in an enlightening and impressive press conference that highlighted exactly why he has become so respected in the corridors of Rockliffe. Though he claimed he didn’t feel comfortable in the environment of the press room, and instead much preferred the training pitches, he showed no signs.