O`Neill backing for Southgate

17 May 2009 12:35
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill expressed sympathy for Middlesbrough counterpart Gareth Southgate, who was booed off by home supporters after a 1-1 draw at the Riverside. Boro's slim survival hopes suffered a mortal blow after John Carew had cancelled out Tuncay's spectacular overhead kick and although relegation is not a mathematical certainty, they will only stay up if several results go their way on the final day. O'Neill said: "I have great regard for Gareth Southgate and I think he has approached his managership full of integrity and will learn from this experience. "He is an excellent manager in the making without question and I do feel for him of course and I know something of what he will be feeling. He's working with a wonderful chairman and I think Gareth Southgate will be a quality manager."

Source: Eurosport