Boro boss Kim Hellberg sets sights on Southampton after ‘spygate’ scandal

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg would not be drawn into any further comments regarding ‘spygate’, insisting his focus is fully on preparing for Tuesday’s game against Southampton.

The two teams face each other again in the second leg of the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final, but the matches have been overshadowed by the Saints allegedly spying on Middlesbrough’s training session.

Southampton were charged with a breach of EFL regulations on Friday before the first leg at the Riverside on Saturday ended goalless.

Ahead of the reverse fixture at St Mary’s, Hellberg said: “I think I answered those questions so much on Saturday as honestly as I can to everyone.

“I think I need to, and we need to, try to talk about the game. That’s the most important thing now.

“Like I said, I answered all of those questions very honestly, what I think about it on Saturday to everyone and taken my time to do it.

“Now I want to prepare my team for this game.”

Hellberg also revealed that he has not spoken to Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson about the situation.

Saturday’s post-match press conferences were dominated by talk of the accusations and Saints boss Tonda Eckert walked out of his after sidestepping questions on the subject, while Hellberg said he could not believe Southampton’s brazen attempt to “cheat”.

“It’s a weird situation. Couldn’t believe my eyes or ears when heard it, couldn’t believe it when someone told me for the second time or the third,” Hellberg said after Saturday’s first leg.

“But if someone makes decisions to go and try to cheat, that’s clear and it will be interesting to see what happens with that.”

Going into Tuesday’s game, with a place in the final up for grabs, Hellberg revealed that influential midfielder Hayden Hackney will still be unavailable.

The 23-year-old has not featured for Boro since the middle of March due to injury.

Speaking about Hackney’s progress, Hellberg said: “Hayden is preparing for the final. He will not be ready for this one but I think he will be ready for the final.

“He’s on the grass now and to be fair this was a massive step forward. He’s getting better and like I said, in 14 days he will be ready.”