CHAIRMAN Steve Gibson yesterday launched an astonishing attack on Middlesbrough's controversial former striker Fabrizio Ravanelli.

The Italian goalscorer walked out on Boro shortly after they were relegated over three years ago.

Now they are struggling at the bottom again and, in a new book published today by the club called Riverside Rollercoaster, Gibson reveals his opinion of the front man whose goals helped them to two cup finals.

"When we won he was fantastic but when we were losing, and you needed everyone to pull together, he was not the sort of guy you wanted in the trenches," he said.

"The first thing you would do was shoot him because you knew he would shoot you."

And Gibson added: "Ravanelli loved the game and, as a professional, he was first class. The way he lived his life and conducted himself in training, he was totally dedicated and a great player. He perhaps felt he was bigger than the club and, at the time, he was probably right."

Ravanelli hit 31 league and cup goals as Boro reached Wembley twice and were relegated after being fined three points.

He signed for £7m from Juventus, just weeks after helping them to win the European Cup, constantly criticised the club's training facilities - before they built a new, £7m complex - and the coaching of Bryan Robson and his staff.

"Deep down there was a huge part of him that I liked but he could be very self-centred with a disregard for other people," said Gibson. "That season was a time for pulling together, not isolating oneself from the problems.

"I had regular meetings with him and it was the only time I've got involved with a player. He had a strange way of conducting himself in any conversation, he was always very emotional and it could be quite exaggerated.

"But he wouldn't accept collective responsibility which you must do as a team player."

Ravanelli, now back in Serie A, said: "My one big regret is not leaving on very good terms with the fans because of all the misinformation.

"I loved the people of Middlesbrough and one day I would like to return and repay the debt because, even though I scored 31 goals, we were relegated and I was so sorry about that.

"The club was very important to me and will always have a special place in my heart.