Gordon Strachan is back in the real world of football now at Middlesbrough after his years of success at Celtic.

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Winning the Scottish Premier League is all well and good - but you or I could do that. After all, its either Celtic or Rangers who get their name engraved on the trophy every year so it's not too difficult, is it?

Now Strachan has the task of firing up Middlesbrough again and lifting them back into the Premier League. They have had a bit of a dodgy run since he took over just over a month ago and haven't won a game under him yet.

They are also struggling to score goals despite having strikers like Leroy Lita, Dave Kitson and Marcus Bent in Strachan's squad.

I'm sure they will be up there when the promotion issue is sorted out in May but I feel they may have to go through the dreaded play-offs even though they are the big tip, along with Newcastle United, to go straight back up out of the Championship.

There are other teams such as West Brom, Cardiff and Nottingham Forest to consider, too. QPR are the dark horses at the moment while Blackpool, Leicester and Swansea are right in there - and it will be a surprise to one or two people that they are.

I cover a lot of football in the Coca-Cola Championship and while it does lack the quality displayed in the Premier League, you are almost always guaranteed a good gritty battle with not a little skill in most  games, too.

Back to Strachan, and the wee man seemed to have mellowed a bit if his post-match press conference following the draw with Forest at the Riverside was anything to go by.

He used to be a bit of a smart-arsed snapper but he was laid back, cool and pleasantness personified on Saturday evening.

Long may it remain so, Gordon. Keep taking the tablets, son.