McGree out to put troubles behind him in 'biggest season' of his career

BORO STAR EYEING PROMOTION AND WORLD CUP DOUBLE

- By NICK LOUGHLIN Football writer

FOR Riley McGree, the season to date has been one of sheer frustration. Now the Middlesbrough midfielder has set his sights on it becoming one to remember.

After suffering a hamstring injury in preseason, the Australian international made only his second start in 11 months earlier this month, appearing for an hour against Birmingham City.

He then turned out for the Socceroos in a friendly defeat to Venezuela just three days later.

He played 80 minutes in the Socceroos' 3-0 friendly defeat to Colombia in New York which took place yesterday at Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets baseball side, and admitted: "Before this season I told myself that this is probably the biggest season in my career to date. Every season is, but this one, especially.

"I'm with a really ambitious club in a good position and with potential to be in the Premier League at the end of the season. And then hopefully I can go to a World Cup."

After such a stop-start campaign, McGree is out to secure not only his place in the new-look Boro side under the incoming head coach, but also in Tony Popovic's World Cup squad.

He added: "I'm getting a little bit older now. I'm 27, so I'm a bit more experienced, and there's a bit of an expectation, potentially, from the players around me, the coaching staff and the fans for me to do well.

"I relish that expectation and the pressure that comes with it, because it is a privilege. So this year is important and I hope to take full advantage of the opportunities that I get."