MIDDLESBROUGH supporters must have started to think Yanic Wildschut was a figment of their imagination, but the Dutch winger announced himself on the Championship stage with an eye-catching debut performance on Saturday.

Wildschut arrived at the Riverside Stadium on a two-year deal from Heerenveen on transfer deadline day with a big reputation having come up through the ranks at the famous Ajax Academy.

However, despite signing for a fee in the region of £600,000, weeks passed without the winger even making an appearance on the bench and before Saturday he had only made three cameo appearances.

Given the fact Karanka has repeatedly rotated his squad this season, Wildschut’s lack of action seemed even more baffling, but the Boro head coach maintained he was giving the summer signing time to settle into his new surroundings.

The Amsterdam-born winger finally received his call at the New York Stadium and he marked his 23rd birthday and first start for the Teessiders with a man-of-the-match display in their 3-0 win over Rotherham United.

After Patrick Bamford had given Boro an eighth minute lead, Wildschut collected the ball on the right hand side of the Millers’ box and turned Kirk Broadfoot inside out before rifling an unstoppable shot past Adam Collin into the roof of the net.

That wasn’t the only impressive feature of the winger’s game with his devastating pace and direct play creating countless opportunities Boro’s front line should have converted.

After getting a taste for Championship action, Wildschut has targeted a first home appearance in tomorrow’s night game with Norwich, but he insists his manager’s decision to make him wait was the right one.

“I haven’t played a lot until now so I was happy to get my first start and a goal,” the Dutchman said.

“Every footballer wants to play from the start so it was difficult, but the team was doing well.

“You don’t have to be selfish, you just have to wait for your chance. I got it and hopefully I have convinced the manager that I can play.

“I remember watching my first game at Huddersfield and thinking all the balls being played went over the top.

“In Holland I was used to playing on the floor and our manager would get angry when we played long balls.

“At first after every training session I would go home with bruises so I think it was nice that the manager didn’t put me in straight away.

“Training is very physical at times and I was saying ‘woah easy’ to the players!

“Now, I’m used to it. I’m a strong guy so it wasn’t that hard to get up to speed. I think I did well, but there’s a lot of room for improvement.

“When I was warming up I was looking around and I thought to myself that this is what I want every week.”

Boro moved up to third in the table with their win at the New York Stadium in a game that didn’t go without controversy.

The Teessiders were two goals to the good when the Millers had Jordan Bowery sent off five minutes after coming on to replace the injured Alex Revell.

Bowery tussled with George Friend on the near touchline and after consulting his assistant referee Mick Russell showed the striker a straight red card.

The decision incensed Millers’ boss Steve Evans, but his side were already on the back foot when they went down to ten.

After the break Rotherham threatened to get back into the game through Lee Frecklington’s effort, but as they pushed forward it left space for the visitors to exploit.

Kike had an off day in front of goal, firing high twice from identical chances created by Wildschut and in the second half Karanka replaced his striker force with Jelle Vossen and Lee Tomlin coming on for the Spanish striker and Bamford.

Vossen came close to opening his Boro account when Wildschut found the striker with another dangerous ball across, but he fired inches wide.

Tomlin finally put the game to bed with three minutes left when he weaved through Rotherham’s defence and sent a low shot back across goal and in to secure his side’s first win in three.

Back-to-back home games against top-six opposition are next up for Middlesbrough with Bournemouth at the Riverside on Saturday after Norwich’s visit tomorrow night.

Wildschut may not have got his chance to impress had Albert Adomah not pulled out of the squad with a stomach bug on Friday night, but the winger is in line to make his first home start against the Canaries.

He said: “I would like to start against Norwich, of course.

“I haven’t played a home yet, but I’m just happy with my performance and I’m going to enjoy the feeling.

“Tomorrow (Sunday) we will look at the Norwich game. It’s a very important game and everybody wants to play, including me.

“We will just have to wait and see what the manager is going to do.”