Burnley v Middlesbrough: Gibson slams crisis talk at lavish Boro

Relegation from the Premier League two seasons ago proved costly and although Gibson funds the highest wage bill in the Championship, he is adamant they are not in financial strife.

He said: “I don’t know where these stories come from. It’s all nonsense.

“People who spread these rumours are no friends of Middlesbrough Football Club.

“But most people in the town are fantastic and they are behind the club and they enjoy being a part of things. I can tell them that there is absolutely no substance to the stories that they have heard.

“Who starts them (rumours)? I wish I knew how these things start.

“There was one stupid comment from Phil Brown (Preston North End manager) and people jump to conclusions.

“Phil Brown apologised for his remarks and Preston apologised and that should have been the end of it. We don’t need people saying things about the club which are not true.”

With Boro having little to play for having secured their Championship status, Burnley are eyeing a late run for the top six.

Last Saturday’s win over Swansea, in which Graham Alexander became only the second outfield player in history to reach 1,000 appearances, marked their first win in seven and reignited their play-off push.

Burnley may be five points adrift with a number of teams to overtake to break into the top six, but Eddie Howe’s men still have to visit stuttering Leeds United in their remaining five games.

“We’re chasing the play-offs and still have that as the target,” said Alexander.