MICHAEL RICKETTS last night marked his move to Middlesbrough by firing a parting shot at Bolton boss Sam Allardyce.

Boro chief executive Keith Lamb revealed that Ricketts' £3.5m switch was only completed five minutes before the transfer window closed at midnight on Friday.

Striker Ricketts was a target for Tottenham, but insisted he had no hesitation when he learned of Boro's late interest.

Allardyce said Ricketts' career had stood still since he made his England debut, and he needed to join a bigger club than Boro to get back on the international stage.

But Ricketts said: "I react to that by saying I have joined a bigger club than Bolton.

"It can only better my game coming here. I thought my game was stuck at Bolton and I was looking to improve.

"Middlesbrough are a bigger club. No disrespect to the Bolton players, but I think Middlesbrough have a better squad.

"I only found out about Boro's interest on Thursday night, but I made my mind up to come here straightaway - the car was always travelling here.

"The facilities are top drawer compared to what I've come from.

"I'm not looking at the England situation, I'm just looking to establish myself here. I wanted to improve and get that winning mentality.''

Boro boss Steve McClaren said: "When I was working with Michael in the England squad, you couldn't buy him for less than £10m, so to get him for what we have is a tremendous bargain.''

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