Steve Bruce backs Gordon Strachan to be a big success at Middlesbrough

Gordon Strachan has been backed to revive Middlesbrough - by local rival and former Manchester United team-mate Steve Bruce.

The Scot will be handed the reigns at the Riverside next week, with Boro chairman Steve Gibson delaying the announcement so caretaker boss Colin Cooper can get today’s trip to Preston out of the way with a minimum of fuss.

Bruce said: “He has managed at Celtic and once you can manage up there you can certainly manage in the north-east. He is experienced and full of life.

“Gordon has great experience and he has been there, done that and worn the T-shirt. He will command respect and he has always done a decent job whether it is at Coventry, Southampton or Celtic. I wish him good luck.

“Actually he was the first person to ever take me out in Manchester! We went for a few beers when I arrived. That was 1987. I rented Michael Parkinson’s house. THE Michael Parkinson. And Gordon lived around the corner.

“He knocked on my door one day and asked if me and my missus wanted to come out for a beer and a bit to eat.”