Ex-Spurs striker Mido says: 'I think Berbatov is looking for a move'

For 12 months, Mido has barely been able to kick a football. On Saturday night, fitness and optimism restored, he could not resist sticking the boot into his old club. 

'I don't think Berbatov’s head is there anymore,' he said. 'It is not with and I think he is looking for a move.

'I think he is a very important player for the club. You can see Spurs without Berbatov are a different team. Without Keane as well they are a different team. 

Pointed: Mido does not believe ex-team mate Dimitar Berbatov wants to stay at White Hart Lane and the team would miss the Bulgarian if he left

'They are huge players. It will be very difficult to replace Berbatov. He is a class player. He is not affected by anything around him. It was the same with Keano. He is one of the best players I have ever played with. Losing them I think will be difficult for Spurs.'

It is a pertinent point amid the huge optimism that has followed Juande Ramos’ £46million summer spending. To lose both Keane and Berbatov in one summer would be managerial naïvety, especially given Darren Bent’s insipid showing at the Riverside Stadium.

Ramos would confirm only that Berbatov, used as a 65th minute substitute, had not asked for a transfer, nor had Manchester United made an official bid, but his body language was that of a man expecting one of the scenarios to arise.

'While the window is open we can’t do anything,' he said ruefully. 'The hope that we’ve got is that he remains with us.

'Our hopes and aspirations for the season are very much intact. We’ve lost our first game but there is still a long way to go, we’re on the right lines, we’re generally playing very well, our style of play is good, and we have just to hope we keep on improving as the games go by.'

Mido’s part in Middlesbrough’s impressive victory amounted to seven minutes and one goal. Banned from eating burgers and free of the pubic injury that wrecked his first season in the north east, his hunger looks more for football. His strike, four minutes from time came after David Wheater had struck from close range. It sealed victory, despite Robert Huth’s late own goal.

'Long term I want to take the club to the Champions League,' said Gareth Southgate. 'That's going to take time. We've got two or three targets and it depends how things go as to which one we hit, but we're certainly looking up the table, progressing and learning as a group together.'  

Middlesbrough (4-4-2): Jones 6; Wheater 8, Huth 8, Pogatetz 7, Taylor 6: Aliadiere 7, O’Neill 7, Shawkey 7, Downing 9: Tuncay 8 (Digard 71min, 7), Alves 7 (Mido 83).

Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Gomes 6: Zokora 7, Dawson 5, Woodgate 8, Ekotto 6 (O’Hara 77): Jenas 6, Modric 6, Lennon 6 (Bale 65, 6), Giovani 5 (Berbatov 65, 7), Bentley 8; Bent 5.

Man of the match: Stewart Downing

Referee: Martin Atkinson