GARETH SOUTHGATE may be the inspirational captain driving the team on but manager Steve McClaren has revealed another more unlikely factor contributing to Middlesbrough's climb to within touching distance of a European place - the eyes of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

As well as being one of the Premiership's top marksmen in recent years, Hasselbaink has undeservedly built up a reputation of being a moody and disapproving striker with not much time for his team-mates at his previous clubs.

Even at the Riverside Stadium the Teesside faithful have at times become frustrated with the demeanour of the Dutchman when things are not going his way on the pitch.

That has hardly been helped by his lack of goals in recent months. He has just two goals in his last 11 starts for Boro but there is a whole different side to Hasselbaink, according to McClaren.

But the delighted boss, whose side now need just a point at Manchester City next Sunday to secure seventh spot in the Premiership after securing the vital win over Tottenham, is full of admiration for a man he believes has been unfairly judged.

"Jimmy has helped the whole team, he has grown into the club and has become our emotional leader. When people see those eyes staring at them, they get back to their jobs again," said McClaren, knowing the player's goals have contributed to the club record tally of 52 in a Premiership season.

"We signed Jimmy not just for his goalscoring - and he's going to finish top-scorer for us - but because of his character, he's a winner and because he's a leader. He wants to win and we've all seen that this season.

"He makes sure he does the job and there are the odd times when he does moan and he has got that reputation for being volatile at certain times, but that's only because he wants to win."

It was the never-say-die attitude of Hasselbaink - despite having another off day in front of goal - which epitomised the way Boro went about securing the three points against Euro rivals Spurs.

Everything on the pitch went right for the home side. In fact the only things that went wrong at the Riverside were a freak hailstorm that blighted the lap of honour and McClaren's embarrassing blunder in the press room when he fell off his chair.

"Typical wasn't it," said McClaren after guiding his side to a 54 points and overtaking Bryan Robson's previous Premiership best of 52. "It may have dampened spirits a little but the fans were magnificent and they inspired our players."

George Boateng's 11th minute strike proved sufficient for Boro as Tottenham, with an abundance of striking talent on show, struggled to break down the resolute rearguard of a Southgate-led backline.

Boateng's right foot strike deflected off Ledley King and past goalkeeper Radek Cerny to round off an exceptional counter attack.

Stewart Downing's ball from inside his own half to Hasselbaink was quickly turned into an attack by the striker's clever one touch through ball to Bolo Zenden. Zenden drew two men towards him before picking out the unmarked Szilard Nemeth.

Nemeth's first touch let him down but he composed himself to roll the ball back to the onrushing Boateng who found the net and that proved to be the decisive goal.

Now Tottenham's hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Cup for the first time in 22 years are out of their own hands. Disappointed manager Martin Jol said: "You have to be a wizard to work it out or, maybe not, maybe it's easy." It is easy as far as Boro are concerned. A point at City will suffice.

Tottenham may have had Jermain Defoe, Frederic Kanoute, Robbie Keane and Mido on the pitch at different stages of the afternoon yet, despite plenty neat interplay in harmless areas, the returning Mark Schwarzer was never seriously tested.

Keane, after being introduced with a little over half an hour to play, volleyed into Schwarzer's arms with his first touch but from there Boro grew and grew and never looked like throwing their lead away.

Hasselbaink had two shots from distance fly straight at Cerny - the second of which came after a super move involving Nemeth, Downing and Ray Parlour - while he also failed to hit the target from 12 yards after Downing squared to him.

But McClaren, after watching his side extend an unbeaten run to five games, said: "There's a great determination within the dressing room, a real will to get the job done and qualify for Europe. We're delighted to be given the chance we have, we're in the driving seat and our destiny is in our own hands.

"Perhaps it's the prospect of playing in the Intertoto in June which is the extra incentive. I don't need to say anything, but the players I know would like extra holidays."

The annual lap of honour on Boro's final home match of a historic campaign may have been an appreciative rather than celebratory one, but a repeat of their first European adventure is still very much on the cards.

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