![\"Middlesbrough's](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_Middlesbrough-v-Preston-North-End-Sky-Bet-Championship-Riverside-Stadium.jpg\")
<\/p>\nKim Hellberg picked out two Middlesbrough players for specific praise after Preston win<\/p>\n
Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway (left) hugs boss Kim Hellberg after he is substituted(Image: PA)<\/p>\n
Kim Hellberg admits he really likes how Middlesbrough used the Premier League<\/a> loan market before his arrival last summer.<\/p>\n While Sverre Nypan hasn\u2019t been able to have the impact he would have hoped for on Teesside after joining from Manchester City, Boro<\/a> also added to the experience in their squad by Matt Targett and Alan Browne from Newcastle United and Sunderland.<\/p>\n While Boro have a preference for permanent signings, the pair have been key players for Boro this season, and highlight how the Premier League loan market can be effective in adding ready-made quality that Boro otherwise couldn\u2019t afford without loan deals where they pay just a fraction of the wages.<\/p>\n Making the point after another stellar performance from Browne in the emphatic victory over his former club Preston North End, Hellberg said: \u201cWhen he scored the first goal, I\u2019m thinking, \u2018What is happening!? Browney’s scoring again?!\u2019 He’s just an unbelievable person, works so hard.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing I like so much about this group is that there’s some loan players that are a bit older but still do everything for the team. I think that’s so impressive.<\/p>\n \u201cHe plays in different positions and he makes them his own position a little bit. He uses his best quality. I\u2019m just so impressed. I was going to sub him in the closing stages to save him some minutes, but couldn’t because of Malanda. But that was a top performance again.\u201d<\/p>\n Browne wasn\u2019t the only Boro player to earn specific praise from the head coach after Boro\u2019s emphatic victory over the Lilywhites at the Riverside.<\/p>\n Adding to his goal at Stoke in midweek – which was his first from open play since August – Conway made it three goals in two games with his brace to help Boro to their 4-0 victory.<\/p>\n \u201cHis work rate is unbelievable,\u201d Hellberg said of Boro\u2019s number nine. \u201cHe also gets the red card by his pressing. He scores three goals now in two games – providing top energy to the team.<\/p>\n \u201cI always see him as a top player, it’s just that as a striker, of course, you need to also get those goals, and he is doing that now. I think he’s a top striker, he’s a top person, I’m so happy for him and no one deserves it more than him.\u201d<\/p>\n Incidentally, if the right option becomes available in the final week of the window, Boro may use the Premier League loan market once again to add further competition for Conway at the top end of the pitch, as they look to consolidate their position in the Championship automatic promotion spots.<\/p>\n ———-<\/strong><\/p>\n Here at TeessideLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best<\/strong> Middlesbrough FC<\/strong> <\/a>coverage and analysis.<\/strong><\/p>\n Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest Boro news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking<\/strong> here<\/strong> <\/a>to subscribe.<\/strong><\/p>\n Your information will be hidden, you’ll only ever receive messages from the Teesside Live sports team, and you can leave any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’. If you\u2019re curious, you<\/strong> can read our Privacy Notice<\/strong> <\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n