Southgate rules out Mido exit
01 Sep 2008 - 10:42:47
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has ruled out allowing Egyptian striker Mido to leave the club on transfer deadline day.
The 25-year-old has already scored three goals this season, but hinted at a move away from Boro after tossing his shirt into the home fans after the 2-1 weekend win over Stoke City.
However, Southgate late stated: "Mido's definitely on board. I had a very good chat with him on Friday. He's a very emotional lad and he wants to play.
"He obviously feels that having scored three goals in three games, he deserves the right to start.
"He's made his case and his attitude has been excellent. He tries very hard to disguise his feelings, but we love him to bits.
"There weren't any real inquiries for him anyway. There was a call from Steve Bruce at Wigan, but it was all a bit tentative and dependent on other things happening.
"I made it very clear to Mido I wanted him here and as a club we weren't prepared to let him go.
"Mido's performances have been excellent, so it wouldn't make any sense for us as a club to lose a player of that ability."