MIDDLESBROUGH want supporters to turn out in their thousands to back the club’s young guns to European success at the Riverside Stadium tonight.

Boro face Dynamo Kiev in the knock-out round of the UEFA Youth League (7pm) after an impressive run in which they have already beat French club Stade de Reims and Italians Torino.

For Middlesbrough’s Under-19s to have even qualified for the competition by winning the Under-18s Premier League last season was a success story in itself, and highly-rated teenagers like Harry Chapman, Mitchell Curry and Callum Cooke are all looking to carry on that run against the tough Ukraine opposition.

It is hoped there will be a good turnout to watch the Under-19s, led by former Hartlepool United midfielder Mark Tinkler and ex-Darlington skipper and caretaker manager Craig Liddle, even though Boro's first team are in action at MK Dons.

Aitor Karanka, the head coach, said: “I have been to their games always and I can’t go this time, so hopefully they will win and I can go to the next round.

“They deserve a decent crowd. I hope the crowd does not put the same demands on them like they do with us because they are only 18 years old. They need support to help them.”

Boro's drive for supporters to turn up to watch the teenagers in action has included an open letter penned by academy director Dave Parnaby, who thinks the achievements of the group of players should not be underestimated.

He said: “All the games so far have been high scoring edge of the seat experienced reminiscent of the team’s UEFA Cup run ten years ago, when many of the lads who will be involved on Tuesday would have just signed as an Under-9 or potentially been in the stands cheering on their heroes.

“It would be fantastic if you could be part of making their dreams a reality and creating an atmosphere deserving of the level of competition it is.

“Games such as these should be seen as a huge achievement for the club as a whole. Middlesbrough is once again “just a small town in Europe” showing footballing giants such as Torino what we have to offer.

“Hopefully this experience will enable some of the players involved in the game to go on to achieve careers such as the boys from 2004 (FA Youth Cup winners like James Morrison, Adam Johnson and Lee Cattermole) so please come down to show your support and help facilitate our next generation of players achieve their potential.”

Victory in tonight’s one-leg tie will put Boro in the last 16 where they could face Real Madrid, Sevilla or Roma.

Tickets are free for season card holders if they were collected by 5pm yesterday. Prices are £3 adults, £2 over-65s and £1 under-16s.