Deserving de Roon thrills Boro boss Karanka

Hard work has finally paid dividends for Marten de Roon according to Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka after the midfielder’s first goal of the season.

And de Roon could not have picked a better time to score as his injury-time equaliser earned Boro a hard-fought point against Manchester City.

Sergio Aguero had given the hosts the lead but they were unable to put the game to bed and the Dutch midfielder, signed for around £12m in the summer, made them pay.

The 25-year-old scored once in 36 Serie A appearances last year for Atalanta and Karanka feels nobody deserved to get the goal more.

“If someone deserves that goal, it’s Marten,” Karanka said. “He was disappointed again to miss last week with injury and he has worked very hard.

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

“He showed his experience and made another step. I was really pleased with the performance and the goal was amazing.

“The first half we went to the pitch with too much respect for Manchester City. The second half we showed we are just not here to defend, and we played in our way.

“I am really pleased for the players, who showed once again that we can compete with anyone.”