Middlesbrough secured an encouraging away point at automatic promotion-hopefuls Southampton on Friday afternoon.
Michael Carrick‘s side were behind for most of the clash after Adam Armstrong put the hosts 1-0 up inside the opening 12 minutes.
They had to ride their luck at times, with Che Adams missing a few big opportunities, but they eventually found the leveller in the 90th minute through top scorer Emmanuel Latte Lath.
The summer signing headed home his 10th league goal of the campaign and kept his side’s slim hopes of a top-six finish alive.
Latte Lathe will get the headlines and much of the plaudits but one player’s performance was particularly pleasing to Carrick.
Michael Carrick hails Alex Gilbert
Prior to the trip to the south coast, Alex Gilbert had played just 44 minutes of Championship football this season.
Gilbert was Boro’s first signing last summer and penned a four-year deal with the club after his contract expired with Brentford.
He’s endured a difficult debut season with the Riverside outfit but Friday’s cameo appearance will certainly give him a much-needed boost.
Speaking post-match, Carrick was pleased with the 22-year-old’s substitute appearance: “That’s exactly what we want. It’s been challenging for Alex and there is no hiding from that in terms of game time. He’s been frustrated and that’s part of carving out your career and trying to create a career for yourself by picking your moment and taking your opportunity.
“He’s had little bits here and there. Today will be a massive boost for him and I’m really pleased for him because he’s kept plugging away. We needed him today. That was a big moment for us.”
“You want him to have that frustration,” the Boro boss added. “He’s desperate to do well and the frustration is by no means in a negative way. It’s just a desire to play, to do well and to develop. He wants to take that next step and sometimes you’ve just got to wait for that right time and take that next step by taking your opportunity. I couldn’t ask for much more from him after he came on.”
Alex Gilbert deserves his first Middlesbrough start
The Ireland under-21 international is still awaiting his first start for the club and after an impressive display against The Saints, he deserves a chance to impress from the first whistle against Sheffield Wednesday on Monday.
It’s no surprise to hear Carrick admit that he’s been frustrated with his game time but he must channel that now and continue to kick on.
Against a relegation-threatened Wednesday side at the Riverside, there is no better game to make your full debut in.
He could be somewhat of a wildcard for Middlesbrough, as opposing defenders won’t know a great deal about his profile.
It could be a telling few days in the career of the young winger.