GASTON RAMIREZ hit a delightful double at the Riverside Stadium last night before an extremely satisfied Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka purred: ‘We’re back on track.’

Just days after Karanka was furious with his players’ display at Blackburn when his side lost 2-1 to prevent them from climbing to the Championship’s summit, they did not miss out on a second opportunity last night.

Ramirez, who was a second half substitute at Ewood Park, headed Boro in front in the 24th minute and then curled in a beautiful second to edge Karanka’s men towards a victory that saw them leapfrog previous leaders Burnley.

And while Ben Gibson headed in an own goal in the dying stages, the result had already been secured and now Middlesbrough will hope the Clarets slip up at home to Blackburn.

But Karanka, who annoyed supporters with his post-match comments about fielding two strikers at Blackburn in midweek, said: “Maybe not always, but normally when we have had a bad defeat the following game the reaction has been good.

“We played at home, with our crowd on TV so it was really important and thankfully the game was really good.

“We are in a really good position again. We need to remember what a good position we are in but we also need to remember how many important and difficult games we have to come, Rotherham, Charlton and Hull before the international break and to enjoy tonight.

“We are in the table with 67 points, it's not a coincidence. We have four more points than we had at this time last season so the team is playing well the team is creating a lot of chances the team is scoring goals so it so a time to be pleased and a time to look forward to the future.”

Middlesbrough have never lost a game under floodlights in a midweek during Karanka’s two-and-a-half years in charge and beating Wolves was the 15th success; they have drawn three.

Karanka said: “It was a really important win, especially after our defeat on Tuesday and our performance last Tuesday. It was also important to win because Hull lost on Thursday.

“I am really pleased because the attitude of my players has been completely opposite to the attitude on Tuesday. This is the Championship and just when you think everything is under control, they scored a goal and almost equalised to we have to try to score the first goal, the second and if possible the third. In this league something can happen even in the 95th, 96th minute.”

Karanka did single out the performance of Ramirez after the game, claiming the attacking midfielder showed exactly why he moved to sign him in January to boost the promotion push.

But the Middlesbrough boss is already thinking about making the move for him permanent, although he knows Premier League status would significantly strengthen any attempts he makes to land the £12m Southampton playmaker beyond this season.

He said: “He is playing really well sooner than I thought. I knew his quality but when you have been away from the pitch for a long time, it can take time, especially in the Championship when you are used to the Premier League or playing in Italy. He is getting better every single day and you can see that on the pitch.

“For me, tomorrow (I would sign him)! But we need to know where we are next season, if he wants to stay here. But he is a player, like today, who can make the difference.

“When I was speaking with him before he came here I could feel that he wanted to stay here in England, he loves it here and for that reason I think it was a really good opportunity for both of us, for him to show his quality and for us to play with him.”