Middlesbrough Manager Aitor Karanka has warned his players that only those who show the hunger and desire for Premier League football will continue to be selected as the promotion chasing Teessiders enter the business end of the season according to the Gazette Live.
Middlesbrough suffered a 1-0 defeat at improving Rotherham United on Tuesday evening and Karanka questioned his side’s commitment to the cause as Neil Warnock’s Millers showed plenty of grit and determination to beat Boro.
There is little margin for error at the top of a competitive Championship table and the Boro boss insists that he will select players who want to play in the Premier League as the season approaches a conclusion.
“I don’t know how to the change the desire,” Karanka told the Gazette Live.
“I know my desire, I know the desire that other teams have, for that reason it is about (doing it) yourself.”
“I show them the desire every single day to play Premier League next season. Last season I showed them my desire. It is up to the person.”
“I hope they want it as much as me. If they don’t want to get promotion, if they don’t want to have that desire, then they should let me know and I will pick other players.”
Boro will be looking to bounce back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon when they make the trip to The Valley to face a Charlton Athletic side in turmoil with The Addicks fans’ relationship with the club’s hierarchy at breaking point. Charlton Athletic fans are planning to walk out in the 74th minute of the match in protest against the club’s Owner Roland Dutchatelet.
