FRESH from his match winning goal in the Tees Wear derby, Middlesbrough midfielder Riley McGree admits he has worked away behind the scenes at being more clinical in front of goal.

McGree netted in the 24th minute at the Riverside Stadium to hand Boro an important 1-0 victory over Sunderland in the Championship. The result also sealed back-to-back home wins for Chris Wilder’s side.

Wilder has options in Duncan Watmore, Marcus Forss and Matthew Hoppe to choose from to play alongside current first choice frontman Rodrigo Muniz but he is using McGree as a number ten, a role that he is revelling in but wants to improve in. “I love playing anywhere on the pitch. It comes quite naturally to me” he said.

“I’d like to have a bit more impact at times but I’m working hard every week and on the training pitch to make things happen. Hopefully, more goals, more assists, more wins.”

McGree’s finish for the only goal of the game was taken well in the eyes of the manager but there were a number of chances he could have done better with. Wilder added: “I talked to him at half-time. From a technical point of view, he chose the wrong option for the second chance. He did for the third one but I think he should score as well.

“I understand the game and some of them will be disappointed they’ve not got a result out of it. We’ve had the better chances but Riley took his goal well and he’s been positive ever since he walked through the door.”

With Boro failing to bring a number of forward targets to the club over the summer, the 23-year-old has filled an attacking void for the club so far this season.

McGree has been playing in an advanced midfield role under Chris Wilder this season having played there for the majority of pre-season. He has two goals so far this season adding to his goal in the 2-1 win over Swansea City. Overall since signing for Boro in January, his record stands at four goals in 19 appearances.

However, he feels he could, and probably should, have had more. The Australian international continued: “I think I could be on maybe more than five. Being a bit more clinical is something that I’m working at. Also, bringing others into the game and getting some more assists would be good as well but I set my goals high. As a team, the three points is the most important thing.

“Reading the game, trying to be in the right positions to get on the end of balls and be clinical and composed to put them in the back of the net.”

With Boro expected to be a top six contender this season, consecutive home wins have seen them climb out of the relegation zone in the Championship and up to 17th in the table. With three games to go until the international break against Blackpool, Cardiff City and Rotherham United, McGree is hopeful of building some momentum before a fortnight away from domestic action.

He added: “They are massive. Going into the international break, we want to climb the table and put as many points on the board as we can. To do that in the manner that we did, it’s good confidence going forward.

“I think our performances haven’t necessarily showed the points and where we deserve to be in the table but tonight is a good start and to get three points and get some confidence going forward is what we need and bring on the next few games.”