Neil Warnock keen to build Middlesbrough team around Paddy McNair

MIDDLESBROUGH manager Neil Warnock has stressed that he wants to build his Boro team around influential utility man Paddy McNair following his decision to sign a new deal with the club.
By Leon Wobschall
Published 1st Dec 2020, 15:51 BST
Updated 1st Dec 2020, 16:58 BST
Paddy McNair, pictured with Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock. Picture courtesy of Middlesbrough FC.Paddy McNair, pictured with Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock. Picture courtesy of Middlesbrough FC.
Paddy McNair, pictured with Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock. Picture courtesy of Middlesbrough FC.

The Northern Ireland international, who has been moved from midfield to the back four by Warnock, has committed to an extension that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2023-24 season.

The news regarding McNair - recently labelled by Warnock as 'the best defender in the Championship - will serve as another timely boost for Boro, who welcome Swansea City on Wednesday night.

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McNair, 25, who arrived at the club in the summer of 2018 from Sunderland, is the latest Boro star to sign a new deal following in the footsteps of Jonny Howson, Anfernee Dijksteel, and Sam Folarin.

On the news regarding McNair, who had made 18 months remaining on his existing deal, Warnock said: "It’s another step in the right direction for the club.

"We want to almost build a team around Paddy. He has excelled this season, and he’s loving every minute of it. It took him two seconds to agree to a new contract which I thought was fantastic.

"I’m absolutely delighted and this is another important step for the club for the future.”

Related topics:Neil WarnockMiddlesbroughNorthern IrelandSwansea CityJonny HowsonSunderland

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