Grant Hall targeting Premier League promotion with Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough mathematically secured their Championship status with a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday in their final outing of the season.

Manager Neil Warnock, who extended his stay at Boro earlier this week, has won promotion a record eight times and Hall feels there is no better man to help Middlesbrough mount a challenge next season.

Boro were relegated from the Premier League in 2016-17 after one year in the top flight and finished fifth and seventh in the following two Championship campaigns but found themselves locked in a relegation battle last season.

Hall was captain of Queens Park Rangers last term but left the club following the expiration of his contract.

"It is a big decision but I feel like it is the right decision," said the Brighton-born player of his move to the north east.

"I felt it was the right time for me to move on and I wanted a new challenge and with Neil coming in here I want to be promoted, I want to go to the Premier League, that is my aspiration.

"I feel like I can do that here. Hopefully we can get promoted, that is the ultimate aim, I want to go up with this team.

"His [Warnock's] record speaks for itself, the amount of promotions he has had and his man-to-man management of players as well, it is massive. He is really good at that aspect of the game."

Hall has made over 150 professional appearances and had spells at QPR, Swindon Town, Blackpool FC and Birmingham City.

He was signed by Tottenham Hotspur in 2012 but never made an appearances for the club and featured mostly for their Under-23s.

The 28-year-old played 30 times and scored five goals for QPR last season but has not played a competitive game since March.

"It has been a long time since I played a game, Preston away was my last game before lockdown. I am itching to get started," he added.

Warnock is determined to build a strong spine at Boro and Hall said: "Leadership is the first thing I can bring. I am comfortable on the ball, that is probably my best attribute.

"I feel like I can bring a bit of physicality as well, wanting to defend, that is me as a player really.

"I have worked on that side of my game the last few years and started to add goals to my game, hopefully I can add a few more."

He added: "Working with Neil before, I had him for a brief period at QPR and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

"I know what he is capable of and his record speaks for itself and he is going to bring that here next season so it was a no-brainer for me.

"Being captain of QPR last season and being give that responsibility, I see myself as a leader in the dressing room. Hopefully I can bring that to the team."

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