STEVE McCLAREN last night paid tribute to the character and attitude shown by his Middlesbrough players in bouncing back from Sunday's derby defeat by booking a place in the group stage of the UEFA Cup.

Boro went through to the second stage by earning a goalless draw against Greek side Skoda Xanthi, preserving the 2-0 first leg lead.

Now McClaren, keen to see his side put the defeat by Sunderland to the back of their minds, wants last night's result to spark a more consistent run.

But the Boro boss was quick to point out the importance of avoiding an early exit in the UEFA Cup.

"It's vitally important for this club, maybe not financially, but in terms of profile, to give something back to the fans," said McClaren, whose side travel to Aston Villa on Sunday.

"The fans know what a tremendous experience this is for them and the players know that also. It was an important result for us. It was a great team display, very professional. It was full of attitude, discipline and character. We said there was character in the dressing room after Sunday and they showed it here. We can look forward to the group draw now."

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Chris Riggott both made their first starts for a while.

Hasselbaink led the forward line well, while Riggott slotted into the back four alongside Gareth Southgate as though he had never been away.

McClaren said: "You saw that we can defend a lead. The players executed the plan we had. They had concentration throughout. They showed all the ingredients we needed to get the result.

"Chris has been out a long while and showed how important he was. It's important we get leaders back and Chris was one, Hasselbaink was the other. It was a great team performance but it was great for those two to play as they did in their first game back. They showed their experience."

The Xanthi supporters created a Mediterranean atmosphere inside the Arena and McClaren expected nothing less from his latest trip into Europe.

"We said before the game it would be intimidating. A tremendous crowd, but it was a hostile atmosphere," he said. "That's why you are in Europe for nights like this. We knew players of vast experience were important for us in this environment and that proved to be the case."

McClaren - who was described by his Xanthi counterpart as treating his side like a small club - spent the majority of the match in the main stand at the Arena, but did try to make his usual trip down to watch from the dug-out on two separate occasions.

On his second attempt to sit with the rest of his coaching staff, he was escorted back to the stands by the fourth official.

McClaren explained: "My name was not on the sheet and he thought I was an impostor.

"Match officials are strict in Europe and he saw me striding down there and didn't like it. That was all."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.