RILEY McGree insists he has no regrets about choosing to move to Middlesbrough over Scottish Champions Celtic back in January.

The Australian McGree signed a three-and-a-half year deal on Teesside in favour of a switch north of the border to Celtic Park. Ange Postecoglu was keen to bring McGree to Celtic and was made a top target but they lost out in their pursuit as the midfielder’s ambitions of playing in the Premier League swayed his decision.

After initially struggling to break into the team through a combination of injury, covid and being on international duty, McGree made 11 appearances during the second half of the season and scored two goals against Swansea City and Cardiff City.

Boro boss Chris Wilder has high hopes for McGree in the Boro side. His technical ability and eye for a pass has given him glowing praise from the boss as he described McGree as ‘good young player who wants to do well’.

Speaking on his time at Boro so far, McGree told Optus Sport: “I’m loving it. Settled in really well up there and I can’t speak highly enough of the place.”

McGree is currently out in international duty with Australia as they prepare for their World Cup qualifying match against United Arab Emirates tomorrow.

He was asked whether there was happy with his decision about moving to Teesside over Glasgow. McGree replied: “Yeah definitely. You come to these decisions and moments in your career and where you have to make decisions and I truly believe I made the right one.

“All respect to Celtic and Ange but I’m a Middlesbrough player.”

Celtic went to considerable lengths to attempt to lure the 23-year-old to the club including a personal phonecall from the manager himself but McGree was not convinced.

He continued: “Yeah he did. It wasn’t easy of course but I did what I thought was right and I will stand by that until the day I die.”

McGree is set to play a major role in Boro’s push up the Championship table as the club look to mount a promotion push for next season.

Wilder is looking to pursue targets over the summer but the club are looking to swiftly resolve the future of Djed Spence. The 21-year-old looks set to complete a switch to Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur.