Neil Warnock has joked he was nervous about handing Nathan Wooden his full league debut in Middlesbrough’s 1-Zero win over Nottingham Forest.
Marvin Johnson’s 81st-minute objective moved Boro as much as fifth within the Championship desk on Saturday.
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Wooden, 18, impressed in central defence alongside Paddy McNair in his maiden league begin in senior soccer.
In his post-match tv interview, Boro boss Warnock quipped: “I mentioned to him [Wood] earlier than the sport, ‘had been you nervous final evening?’ He mentioned, ‘no’.
“I mentioned ‘properly I used to be, enthusiastic about enjoying you tomorrow, son!’”
Middlesbrough are unbeaten in eight video games and haven’t misplaced a league match because the opening day of the season.
Warnock was filled with reward for Wooden, who had made simply two substitute league appearances earlier than the Nottingham Forest conflict.
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He mentioned: “Let’s not get carried away, but it surely’s a great begin. It’s his debut and I can’t fault something he did.
“It’s good for him to be enjoying alongside Paddy in a again 4 that’s doing rather well.
“He simply performed his personal recreation. That’s what I instructed him – ‘be regular, play your regular recreation and don’t take any possibilities’.
“He’s a smashing lad and that may do him the world of fine.”
