STEWART DOWNING insists his goal against Nottingham Forest wasn’t made any sweeter because it was against former manager Aitor Karanka – and the focus is purely on keeping Middlesbrough in the top six.

Downing was pleased to see Karanka get a touching reception from the Boro fans when he first walked into his technical area on Saturday, moments after Daniel Ayala had put the home side in front.

Then Downing added the second goal after 31 minutes to put Middlesbrough on track for an important win in the battle to stay in a play-off spot.

Earlier this season the former England winger described how he would not have come back to his hometown club had he known what it would be like, claiming he felt like Karanka never really wanted him back in the first place.

But Downing did not want to focus on the past after the final whistle had blown on the 2-0 win over Forest, and he felt Karanka deserved the reception he got for what he did during his three-and-a-half years in charge on Teesside.

“I did not expect the reception to be any different,” said Downing. “He got the club promoted and the fans appreciated the job he did over those three years.

“I am sure he appreciated the reception, if not the result he wanted. I am sure he is pleased with that reaction. I know what he is like and he’d have wanted to come here and upset us a bit, maybe frustrate us or get a draw.

“But this was all about us winning the game, not about what was going on around us. Some people thought he may be booed but I never did. We have all moved on. I am sure he realised how good he had it here. Boro was good for him and he was good for the club.

“I have played for 30 different managers. You move on and play a game of football. He did well for this club so he got a good reception and so he should because he took the club up.

“I don’t know about other players but I just get on and perform.

“My job is to impress the manager we have now, so the main thing was to get a result. Not too fussed about Nottingham Forest.”

When Karanka walked out into his technical area in the ninth minute there was a round of applause from the home fans.

He responded by applauding them back before the South Stand chanted “Aitor Karanka”.

After that it was about delivering the right result and Middlesbrough did that, even though manager Tony Pulis was frustrated by the second-half display, when Nottingham Forest were unable to make the most of greater possession.

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