SUMMER recruit Viktor Fischer has admitted that he needs to force his way into Middlesbrough’s first team picture sooner rather than later if he is to stay on the international stage.

Fischer was outstanding for Denmark in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Armenia when he earned praise from his manager, Age Hareide, as well as team-mates and the national media.

The 22-year-old was hailed along with Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen for a performance that secured three points for the Danes and he is seen as a valuable part of his country’s future prospects.

Under Hareide he has become a regular whereas he was in and out under previous boss Morten Olsen, so he is keen to build on that and to stay in Denmark’s thinking he knows performing regularly for Middlesbrough will be crucial.

Fischer said: “No one can expect to play if they sit on the bench. But I am highly motivated and know what it takes.

“You can be a great football player, even if you do not play with the titles. I know I have to work harder because our goals in Middlesbrough is to be in the Premier League.”

Fischer’s only appearance in the Premier League since arriving from Ajax in a £3.8m deal earlier this summer was as a last minute substitute at West Bromwich Albion. He played 80 minutes of the EFL Cup defeat at Fulham.

That sort of record will not be sufficient to keep him in the Denmark squad and he is eager to build on the 12 caps he has earned. He has six assists and one goal from his last three outings at international level.

Fischer said: “I had only been in the Parken Stadium as a spectator (before facing Armenia). I was inside watching a soccer match some years ago against Holland and again against Bulgaria.

“I had been looking forward so much the past week for that game. No, the last few weeks for this experience. It was great. It is definitely one of the proudest moments so far in my career.”

His Denmark boss Hareide is keen for Fischer to continue his rise to prominence domestically and on the international stage. Hareide said: “Viktor Fischer was excellent throughout the match.

“He was moving, he's different than our other attackers, and when we played the ball in the middle, then met Fischer up. It makes us hard to play against, when we are very moving, and it was Fischer in particular. Christian was also excellent in the fight. He offers himself anywhere on the course, and that is how we want to use him.”

Fischer’s chances of starting may have been boosted following the departure of Albert Adomah, even though Adama Traore has effectively replaced the Ghanaian in the Boro squad.

Adomah completed a move to Aston Villa on deadline day for a fee believed to be potentially worth £6m if he helps to land promotion, with Middlesbrough due to pay 15 per cent of any profit made to his former club Bristol City.

And Adomah can’t wait to get started, suggesting a friendly in the summer was what helped to persuade him to move to the Midlands three years after arriving on Teesside for £1m under Tony Mowbray.

"I played against Villa in pre-season," Adomah said. "Straight away when we walked in, I thought 'wow, Villa is a massive club.'

"It's one of the best pitches I've seen. It's like a carpet. I'm so very pleased to sign. I was like a child. I couldn't sleep the night before I joined.

"I'm so happy to be here. I met the gaffer and the chief executive. They speak highly of the project going forward which is to build a team and take the team forward.”