Yak hitting back over Boro taunt

Reminded of how Gibson had aired misgivings over his commitment towards the end of his time on Teesside, Everton's record £11million buy added an extra edge to tomorrow's Goodison Park reunion with his old club by snapping: "I think it's time he grew up."

Angered by a perception that Yakubu switched off mentally midway through last season and began planning his next move before the campaign had ended, Gibson suggested Middlesbrough may be better off without him and had done well to offload him at a handsome profit.

It stung the normally easygoing 24-year-old into a rare outburst, as he added: "It's unfair to come out with stuff like that. I scored a lot of goals for them and it's ridiculous for people to try to claim I switched off.

"They said they didn't want to sell me, then, just before the window shut, they did want to sell me. I wasn't happy and wanted to leave. I wanted a new challenge, for a club with ambition, and I found one in Everton. They have a higher ambition than Boro.

"I was disappointed to hear what the chairman came out with, but that's life. He has his opinions and I don't hold anything against him, the staff or players. But to come out and say things like that — I think they have to grow up."

Boro boss Gareth Southgate took a diplomatic stance about the row as he prepared his team for the visit to Merseyside.

He said: "Yak will obviously want to try to do well but it's about us taking on Everton as a team. We know his strength and weaknesses and we'll be prepared. We wished him well when he left and we remember the good things he did, but we want to beat him because in the end he didn't want to stay with us, so the lads have a point to prove.

"Yak has a lot of friends here so we will remember him as a good colleague. But that sentiment goes out of the window for the game."

For all his indignation, the Nigerian has even had his work-rate questioned by Everton manager David Moyes, who dropped him to the bench at Aston Villa as a reminder that he expected more.

"I had no problem with that, and it did not surprise me," said Yakubu. "The manager explained everything. I think he wanted me to see the way the team played, how different players made their runs, and that was good.

"It was not easy to adjust at first, but things are getting better and I know I can deliver. All my life, I have believed in having pressure and dealing with it. In my position, you have to score goals and create chances for others. I like that sort of pressure."

And he has no intention of following the trend of muted celebrations against former clubs should he find the target.

"Believe me, I will celebrate if I score against them." he said. "You have to move on. I know I made the right decision coming here."