MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren last night saluted Gaizka Mendieta after the Spanish star sealed his side's place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

Mendieta struck the winning penalty as Boro won a shoot-out 5-4 at the Riverside.

And McClaren, who signed the midfielder on a season's loan from Lazio ahead of a permanent four-year deal, declared: "When I saw him striding up, I thought I wouldn't want anyone else to take it but him.

"He did well and gave us that bit of creativity we needed. When I signed him, I never had any doubts about his appetite for nights like this.

"His attitude has really impressed everyone since he came. That's why he is ideal for the English game.''

McClaren also hailed keeper Mark Schwarzer, who saved from Everton substitute Leon Osman in the shoot-out, and Boro's four other penalty takers - Michael Ricketts, Bolo Zenden, Danny Mills and Massimo Maccarone.

"Mark made a great save and if you're going to put your house on five penalty takers, it's those five. Our coach Steve Round always works with them on penalties.

"We didn't want extra-time and penalties but that's what we had to go through; we had to endure it and enjoy it.

"I thought it was a very open game and a typical cup tie. There were a lot of mistakes and we could have done with a bit more quality.

"But you have to give credit to Everton. They lost at the weekend and we got the backlash for that.''

Boro travel to Tottenham in round five in a fortnight's time, and with Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City eliminated last night, McClaren is in buoyant mood about his side's prospects.

He said: "We have a good away record and we know all about Spurs having been there and drawn 0-0 already this season.''

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