Source: Daily_Mail
Johnson's £6m City move was too irresistible, admits Boro boss Strachan
Big opportunity: Ex-Boro winger Adam Johnson[LNB]Gordon Strachan says there was no way Middlesbrough could have stopped Adam Johnson's move to Manchester City. [LNB]The England Under 21 international joined Roberto Mancini's squad on transfer deadline day, with an initial £6million payment helping Strachan to fund Australia international Scott McDonald's move from Celtic. [LNB]The fee could rise to £10m but Strachan says it was not the obvious financial benefits which forced Middlesbrough's hand but the opportunity for Johnson to move to one of the biggest clubs in the country.[LNB] The Sunderland-born winger could have had the option to move back up the A19 and there were offers from Wolves and Stoke, and talk of Everton waiting until his contract expired in the summer - where his fee would have been set by a tribunal, with no guarantee it would match Boro's valuation.[LNB]He and the club were happy to wait until Mancini, impressed by his brief FA Cup appearance against City, stepped in. [LNB]Johnson's 11 goals and breathtaking wing play have kept Boro in touch with the Championship's top six, and Strachan remains optimistic a side without him, and with his Tartan Army, can still reach the play-offs even if he is naturally disappointed to lose his best player.[LNB] [LNB]Tartan army: Scott McDonald has joined the growing number of ex-Celtic players at the Riverside[LNB]Strachan said: 'It's always nice to think you have a relationship with the players. In the last seven days I must have had six or eight ex-players asking for advice. [LNB]'It's nice to think you have connected with them and helped them. That's why you go into coaching. Not because you want to be a superstar manager, but to make players better. If I have achieved that with one or two then I will be happy.[LNB] 'I wanted to do that with Adam because I told him I would do that here. But he has done that himself right away by going to Manchester City.[LNB] 'The chairman and Keith Lamb and Adam all thought it was common sense. We had to understand that. It would not have been right to stop him from going to play with these great lads. [LNB]'It's a negative in a way because I would have liked to have build a more rounded team around him. If you look at the stats this year, when we win we win because of his assists or goals. [LNB] 'But we have to be excited for the kid. He is a smashing fella and he knows what's right and what is wrong. [LNB]'This week he has been training with Tevez, Adebayor and Bellamy. I was pleased with him in that way. He has got himself there with his ability and he has helped the club to collect a few bob which was needed at this time. [LNB]'I wouldn't have thought wed have bought Scott McDonald if we hadn't sold Adam Johnson, unless Keith had found some money under his bed.'[LNB] Middlesbrough swoop for sign Celtic striker McDonald and Aberdeen's MillerNORTHERN EXPOSURE: The old Bhoys network at Middlesbrough could finally shatter the myth that Celtic could dominate English football We can rebuild Bridge: Mancini tells Fabio to pick 'the best left back of all'MANCHESTER CITY FC
