While Middlesbrough languish at the bottom of the Championship, two of their players who are on loan at Scottish side St Mirren are sitting joint top of the League alongside Celtic, after two wins from two.
One of the players – goalkeeper Zach Hemming – made a key contribution with a penalty save to preserve St Mirren’s 1-0 lead. The other – Boro winger Toyosi Olusanya – also came off the bench for the Buddies after they were pegged back.
Ironically, Boro’s former midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce crossed for Mikael Mandron to score the winner and make it a 2-1 win for St Mirren.
Hemming has played in Scotland for the last two years with Kilmarnock, impressing during his time there, particularly during the 2021/2022 season. Keeping 15 clean sheets in 36 league games, the ‘keeper helped them to promotion to the Scottish Premiership. He also made the Championship team of the season during the campaign and was named Killie’s Young Player of the Year. He was loaned to St Mirren this summer.
Elsewhere, another Boro ‘keeper Sol Brynn is not enjoying the same success on loan at Leyton Orient after he was recently ruled out with a broken foot. It comes as a disappointment for the 22-year-old, who had impressed Boro enough to earn a new contract in May.
How did Boro’s other loan players do?
Matthew Hoppe is training with MLS loan side San Jose Earthquakes, but their season does not start until 21 August.
Liam Robert, who is yet another ‘keeper loaned out by Boro, has made a solid start to life in League One with Barnsley. He followed up the barnstorming 7-0 win against Port Vale with a 1-1 draw away to Bristol Rovers; a club that may be hoping to secure the services of Josh Coburn again should he become available.
Nathan Fisher (yes, another stopper on Middlesbrough’s books) made his debut while on loan to local EBAC Northern League team Redcar Athletic in a 2-2 draw against Northallerton Town.
It remains to be seen whether more Boro players will be sent out to gain valuable experience at other clubs, as in-comings continue to be pursued. Josh Coburn is one who could benefit from another campaign of first team football, even though he may have harboured ambitions of enjoying a break-out season for Boro.