SoccerBlogs

Firstly, I apologise for my long absence from BoroMania.com.

The last time I wrote for this website was in the aftermath of Gareth Southgate's sacking. That was four months ago - plenty of time for Southgate's successor Gordon Strachan to have imprinted his mark upon the Middlesbrough squad.

Scott McDonald became the latest Celtic player to leave Celtic Park and join up with Boro, as we did with the others we asked a few Celtic fans for an assesment of the player:

EB:

With the window closing at 5P.M. down south Scott McDonald (Skippy) was cutting his move fine.

There is a tinge of disappointment around Boro fans at losing our leading scorer and most exciting player but Adam Johnson's move to Manchester City was also met with an air of inevitability. It's disappointing to lose him but lets face it, he was going anyway, if not now then at the end of the season and the eventual deal with City was probably best for both parties.

Nathan Porritt, once considered one of the brightest young players in the country, has had his contract cancelled by Boro. Porritt shot into the limelight in 2006 in a BBC Panorama documentary in which it was alleged that several other teams (Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle) had attempted to "tap up" the Boro youngster in an attempt to lure him away from The Riverside.

Adam Johnson has completed his move to Manchester City today for an undisclosed fee as Boro were one of the busier teams on transfer deadline day. Johnson picks up the number 11 shirt, vacated by Robinho, and will once again attempt to cement himself in a Premier League first eleven.

Johnson has been in great goalscoring form for Boro this season, but criticism over his performances at the Riverside stadium have led to doubts over whether he is ready to play at a higher level.

The arrival of the transfer deadline has led to a whole range of rumours springing up all over the internet, TV and Radio, some with more substance than others.

Shunsuke Nakamura

The major story doing the rounds concerns Adam Johnson and a proposed move to Premier League big spenders Manchester City.

Middlesbrough cruised past Doncaster last night courtesy of two fantastic Adam Johnson strikes, a first senior goal for Jonathan Franks and a Leroy Lita goal.

Boro began the game well but had to wait until the half hour mark to make a deserved breakthrough, a moment of magic from Adam Johnson as he stode toward goal and unleashed a left foot drive into the top corner.

Middlesbrough have had three players included in The Football League's team of the week following the 1-1 draw with Swansea at the Riverside.

Obviously you have to take into account the reduced Football League programme due to the FA Cup, a point strengthened when you see that 6 of the 11 players included were involved in the Boro v Swansea game.

Middlesbrough rescued a point at the Riverside courtesy of a fluke goal from new signing Willo Flood. Missing a plethora of first team players boro began brightly enough but Leroy Lita wasted a number of early chances, though some credit must go to Swans keeper De Vries for keeping the first one out.

Middlesbrough completed the signings of Celtic trio Barry Robson, Willo Flood and Chris Killen yesterday. Scotland international Robson makes the move to the Riverside for an undisclosed fee, while Flood and Killen both join on free transfers.

The three players have all played for Boro boss Gordon Strachan previously so he obviously knows plenty about them, but Boro fans may not know quite as much.

So the missing Egyptian midfielder Mohammed Shawky resurfaced just long enough to put to paper on a transfer to Turkish side Kayserispor. Shawky had not made a single appearance for Boro this season, under either manager, sitting on the bench for the FA Cup defeat to Man City was the closest he came.