Wednesday, April 19 2006 16:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Paris: The fan who hurled his season ticket at Steve McClaren in disgust at Middlesbrough's poor form earlier this season has had plenty of reason to regret his tempestuous outburst. For since that show of frustration McClaren's side have climbed out of their midwinter slumber to make it into the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and UEFA Cup.

And it's Europe and Thursday's trip to Steaua Bucharest that is currently occupying the mind of the man who is now favourite to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson as England manager.

Boro owe their place in the last four of Europe's second club competition on an astonishing quarter-final comeback against FC Basel. Trailing 2-0 after the first leg in Switzerland McClaren's men looked dead and buried, especially when Basel pulled further clear in the 22nd minute goal of the second leg at the Riverside.

But a Mark Viduka double put the Teesiders back in the hunt with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink adding another before Massimo Maccarone got the clincher in the 90th minute to complete the stunning fightback.

Boro had to endure a hectic Easter prog

Unlike Steaua, who were given the weekend off to prepare for the tie, Boro have had to endure a hectic Easter programme.

Following last Wednesday's FA Cup quarter-final replay win over Charlton they have had two Premiership fixtures, a 1-0 win over Porstmouth on Saturday followed by a 2-0 win over West Ham on Monday.

McClaren has had to shuffle his pack to keep some powder dry for Bucharest, making five changes for Saturday's game and no fewer than nine for the West Ham match.

With Thursday's trip to the Romanian capital followed at the weekend by their last four showdown with West Ham and then Steaua's visit for the UEFA Cup second leg next week these are heady times for McClaren and his men.

But he insisted: "I have to stress again that what we have done so far is to simply create an opportunity to make this season historic for the football club.