Michael Carrick's on Middlesbrough's 'wow' moment - which was good news for Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town

Former Blues midfielder McGree's 17th-minute goal was his sixth of the season and first since September, giving Boro their third straight victory.

The Teessiders are up to ninth and five points off the final play-off position, while their narrow triumph over the relegation-threatened hosts was also likely to have been well received by supporters of both Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday, who are both currently in the drop zone.

Fourth-from-bottom Blues, in what was effectively their game in hand, are just a point above the Yorkshire duo.

On McGree’s strike, Carrick said: “I don't think you expect that but it was a pure strike from Riley.

"He's capable of those moments and he's had one or two of those 'wow' moments with goals he's scored like that.

"It was a hell of a strike and fitting to win any game. He's capable of that and, like some of the boys, capable of even better.

"I thought there were moments of real quality in the game and that was the standout one.

"Hopefully he's coming into a real vein of form when we need him."

McGree's celebrations were muted out of respect to the club where he spent 15 months on loan across two seasons from October 2020 to the end of 2021.

"Knowing Riley it was down to that. He's down to earth and humble and very respectful," added Carrick.

"I didn't realise that but if he didn't celebrate, I can understand that."

Carrick was non-committal on Boro's hopes of making the top six, with bogey side Blackburn Rovers at home on Saturday.

"Let's see where we go - we've had a good week," he said.

"We were the only game so we knew we could make a bit of a jump, so we made the most of it.

"Just because we won doesn't mean the next game is going to naturally end in a win. We need to start again and prepare for that."

McGree lashed an unstoppable left-foot drive into the top corner from 25 yards after Alex Pritchard's pass was easily cut out by Leeds United loanee Luke Ayling.

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Birmingham have now gone five games without a win and are just a point above the relegation zone after losing their match in hand.

Interim manager Mark Venus admitted the absence of boss Tony Mowbray for medical treatment was being felt deeply.

"He's making good progress and we can't get him back quickly enough and hopefully he will be back in the future," said Venus.

"We've missed him immensely and enormously. He's a leader, a motivator and a driver and I think undoubtedly when you have someone like him at the front, you miss him.

"We have not got enough leaders in the club. But we have to work with what we've got and we have to do better and get through this.

"It's a lack of quality that we all have to address."