HE'LL only be a Middlesbrough player for a matter of months and he's endured something of an underwhelming start to life at the club - but Michael Carrick says the reaction to Kelechi Iheanacho's first goal was proof of the forward's popularity in the dressing room and the behind the scenes togetherness.
And that unity, believes Carrick, can help drive Boro into the Championship's play-offs.
Iheanacho ended his wait for a goal when he got Boro back on level terms against Oxford, a crucial goal in the pivotal second half turnaround that moved Carrick's side level with sixth-placed West Brom in the table.
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Iheanacho arrived on loan in January with serious pedigree but failed to get off to the start he'd have hoped for and was ineffective in several displays.
But Carrick has repeatedly talked up the experienced forward's character and insists the Sevilla loanee is desperate to make a success of his time on Teesside.
And he says the manner in which Middlesbrough's players celebrated Iheanacho's Oxford equaliser shows the togetherness that he believes will be key in the run-in.
“It kind of sums us up," he said.
"The boys are close and they care and support each other and want to all do well for each other.
"In moments like that, it just kind of shows you. You can't just create that or fake that, that's genuine feeling. That runs deep within the group, which is great to know, especially this time of year when there's a lot on the line and we're trying to achieve things.
"You have to dig deep in certain moments and look after each other in certain moments, and definitely all pull ]in that same direction, which is great."
