Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is delighted with the way Emanuel Pogatetz has tackled his new club captaincy role.

He told the Evening Gazette : "I felt that Pogatetz was the obvious choice as captain because he is a leader.

"He is such a strong character and has lots of qualities. He's an organiser on the pitch. He missed some of the pre-season games but I knew, fitness-wise, it wouldn't be too much of a problem with him.

"He got a cut in the first half but there was never any question that he would not be back out for the second half.

"He's a very important player to us."