Former Sunderland boss Lee Johnson believes Michael Carrick is onto something good at Middlesbrough and has tipped the former Manchester United midfielder to enjoy success at the Riverside.

Johnson, now manager at Hibernian, got an up-close view of Carrick's side last week when Boro visited Easter Road for a winter break friendly.

And he believes everything is on place on Teesside for Boro to move forward with Carrick in the dugout.

He said: "Middlesbrough are a good side. I've managed a couple of hundred games in the Championship and I know the standard. I know the back-up they have in terms of quality. And it's a big club.

"They have good ownership for a start, they're well invested in."

Johnson knows what the Championship is all about having spent more than three years in charge of Bristol City. He was the longest serving boss in the second tier before his 2019 departure, returning to the dugout at Sunderland the following year.

Johnson believes squad depth is required for Championship success, a box he believes Boro tick.

"Generally in the Championship it's a relentless league and depth of the squad becomes really important or you have to be super lucky," he said.

"Everyone has 14 or 15 good players, but in the Championship you probably need 20 and more. And Middlesbrough have got that.

"I think it's a fantastic chance at a great club for someone like Michael and I wish him and them all the best."

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