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Riggott returns with another goal
IT WAS just over two years ago that Chris Riggott scored for Middlesbrough on, arguably, the most memorable night in the club's history.
Playing alongside Gareth Southgate at the heart of the defence, Riggott will be remembered in Teesside folklore for scoring the dramatic goal that levelled the aggregate score against Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Cup semi-final.
And while it is the memory of Massimo Maccarone's stunning last minute injury-time diving header that remains etched in most Middlesbrough fans' minds on that April night in 2006, Riggott needs no reminding of his part on such an heroic occasion.
Twenty-five months later, when many thought the centre-back had played his last match for Middlesbrough, he returned to the first team stage after a six-month absence to deliver when it mattered once again.
The visit of Portsmouth may not have had the opportunity of an appearance in a European final in Eindhoven riding on it. It did, though, threaten the proud Premier League status which Boro have held for the last nine years.
But Riggott, who would have been playing for Stoke in a Championship promotion decider had he not been recalled on Thursday night, worked his way ahead of his markers to head Middlesbrough in front from a Fabio Rochemback corner five minutes before half-time.
He may not score many, but he does seem to have a knack of scoring important goals. It settled the home team down and once Tuncay Sanli increased the advantage after the restart the fight against relegation had been won.
"It was well-timed and the goal is pretty satisfying," said Riggott. "My last goal was against Steaua and it's funny how both goals have arrived in such important matches."
Had Robert Huth been fit or Emanuel Pogatetz not suffered a late injury scare to a calf problem, Riggott would have still been recovering from playing a part in Stoke's crucial Championship fixture with Leicester this morning.
And, despite being at the Britannia Stadium to witness the action unfold yesterday, he has been given no assurances from either club over where he will be playing next season.
Southgate knows all about the defender's talent, particularly as he was always asked to pass comment on a player dubbed to be his natural successor during his days as the club's captain.
Over the course of Southgate's first two years in charge at the Riverside, however, the indications have been that Riggott was no longer part of his plans. A clean sheet and the opening goal in a crucial 2-0 win, though, could have changed all that.
"I have got a bit of thinking to do and I will have a few chats with the important people and let's see," said Riggott, who expects Stoke to make an offer for his services during the summer. "I really don't know if this was my last game for Boro.
"There is no point in talking about what might happen. It had crossed my mind that I had played my last game. I really don't know what the future holds. It has not sunk in yet. We will have to have a chat and see what is what and do something that will suit both parties."
After the final whistle Riggott handed his shirt to one of the Coldstream Guards that had paraded around the Riverside prior to kick-off. He claimed nothing should be read into his actions.
The appearance of the Guards - as part of a drive to demonstrate community pride - was a sight normally associated with an FA Cup final, so it was rather ironic that Saturday's fixture was between two teams that should have faced one another in this year's Wembley showpiece.
Had Middlesbrough's season not collapsed around them in early March, when Cardiff casually won a quarter-final tie by the River Tees, Portsmouth's trip to the North-East could have been a dress rehearsal.
And, bringing back memories of the humiliating exit to the Bluebirds, Southgate paired two of the fall-guys from that tie - Fabio Rochemback and Julio Arca - in the middle for the first time since.
There was clearly an improvement in the way Middlesbrough played, although periods of the their play often reflected a team with just one win from ten Premier League matches.
Riggott, who tasted defeat just once in his nine outings for Stoke, sensed variations in moods from within the two dressing rooms he has been a part of.
"There is a difference in atmosphere," he said. "I came from a team winning every week, with a winning mentality and buoyancy. They were all mostly English lads and it is the way of the world that in the Premier League there are lot of foreign lads, so it is not quite the same in the dressing room.
"We have a good set of lads at Boro, I wouldn't knock any of them. But obviously there is a different attitude when you are not winning so many games. Even so it should not have taken to the second last game of the season to get safe."
That, though, is exactly what it took. For the second year under Southgate, a victory in the penultimate match of the season was required to safeguard Middlesbrough's place in the Premier League.
Another victory over Manchester City next weekend will merely paper over the cracks. Improvements need to be made during the summer if Southgate is to avoid a third consecutive battle to beat the drop in 12 months time.
In fairness, after David Wheater had superbly blocked a shot from Milan Baros inside six minutes on Saturday after a tremendous move involving Papa Bouba Diop and Arnold Mvuemba, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer never had a save to make.
There were some decent passing moves from Portsmouth, although Middlesbrough created the better chances.
Rochemback and Afonso Alves had the best two opportunities of the opening half. But it was left to Riggott to rise in between Sylvain Distin and Herman Hreidarsson five minutes before half-time to head the hosts in front.
And once Tuncay joined Stewart Downing on eight goals for the season eight minutes after the break, when his clever run created the space for him to meet Downing's corner, it was game over. Survival had been achieved.Work can now start on fine-tuning a squad under-achieving.
4:03am Monday 5th May 2008
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