MIDDLESBROUGH midfielder Neil Maddison, told he can leave on a free transfer, last night admitted his lack of first-team opportunities under manager Bryan Robson had come as "a kick in the teeth''.

Darlington-born Maddison, 31, has failed to start a senior game since March last year, and is now looking for a new club after almost four years at the Riverside.

''My contract is up at the end of June and I have been told it will not be renewed,'' said Maddison.

''What I have wanted to do more than anything over the last few years is play for Middlesbrough.

''I've played a few games and I feel I never let the side down, but I don't think I have been given the opportunities I deserved.

''I've had great times here, including winning promotion and appearing in the Coca-Cola Cup final, but there have been low points as well.''

Maddison, who joined Boro from Southampton in October 1997 for £250,000, told the club's website: ''Reserve-team football is nothing to me at this stage of my career. I need to be playing first-team football.

''All I wanted was a chance to play for Boro, but I've learned over the years that football is a funny game - it kicks you in the teeth when you least expect it.''

Boro, meanwhile, could be alerted to Lorenzo Amoruso's decision to quit Rangers this summer.

The Italian defender, who has lost the captaincy and fallen out with boss Dick Advocaat, insists next Sunday's final game of the season at home to Hibernian will be his last for the Ibrox club.

Boro are admirers of the 29-year-old centre-back, who turned down a move to Sunderland last summer after a £3m fee had been agreed.

"It is the end for me at Rangers,'' said Amoruso, who still has a year left on his contract.

"I will not be back in Glasgow next season. The club have made it clear they are ready to let me leave and I want to go. The game against Hibs will be my last.''

With doubts about the future of Gary Pallister, who hasn't played for six months since undergoing surgery for a chronic back problem, Boro need to recruit a central defender.

And the chance to link up with fellow countryman Gianluca Festa could appeal to Amoruso if Boro firm up their interest in the former Fiorentina man.

l Liverpool's young lion Steven Gerrard has issued a ''same again'' call to Anfield's cup heroes to go on and clinch the club's first European crown in 17 years.

Gerrard already has Worthington Cup and FA Cup winners' medals for his part in Liverpool's season, but now he wants the UEFA Cup gong.

Liverpool fly to Germany this morning for their Dortmund date with Alaves tomorrow.

Gerrard said: ''If we show the same character as we showed on Saturday in Cardiff, then we will win the UEFA Cup as well.''