MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren believes loan-ranger Geremi was the major reason his side claimed all three points against Blackburn.

Geremi, who will be at Boro until the end of the season from Spanish giants Real Madrid, delivered a perfect injury time low cross for substitute Joseph Job to tap in - and snatch all three points for his new club.

And McClaren is convinced it was the midfielder's attacking impetus that led to his side claiming their first victory of the Premiership season.

"Geremi did well, but I was pleased with everybody," said McClaren, who has the option of making the Cameroon international's move a permanent one in June. "The midfield really looked strong in the end and we were going for the win.

"Geremi got stronger and stronger as the second half progressed and in the last 15 minutes he really was doing useful things with the ball.

"He had three good, quality crosses into the box and it was one of those crosses that led to the goal. So I've got to be pleased with his performance."

The Boro boss, who takes his men to Manchester United tomorrow night, knows what it is like to be on the receiving end of a last minute blow.

Seven days' earlier McClaren's side were two goals to the good when Fulham grabbed a last minute double to deny the Teessiders their first victory since April.

And, while admitting that Blackburn looked the better side in the first half, the former United number two insists it was up to Graeme Souness' team to turn their possession into goals.

"I thought we were very lucky, we could have been 6-2 down at half-time," he said. "But we ground out the result and it was up to Blackburn to make sure they made us pay when they were on top. That was similar to us against Fulham last week.

"In the second half we stemmed the flow a bit and sorted the players out at half-time; they went out and did a job.

"And I think we deserved to take the points for standing firm at the back."

McClaren was full of praise for his defensive line and goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who were able to restrict Rovers' striking pair Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke from boosting their shots on goal count.

And now the England coach is hoping his side can continue to show the same commitment against Sir Alex Ferguson's United side at Old Trafford tomorrow night.

He said: "It was important we got a result against Blackburn and we did not get beaten after the Fulham draw.

"The performance last week was very good and we should have won three or four nil.

"Perhaps we should have drawn this one but I have aways felt that we would have to try to grind this result out. The 'keeper and the four defenders were outstanding.

"Now hopefully we can build on this and travel to United confident."

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