Neil Warnock addresses reports linking Robbie Brady to Middlesbrough
Robbie Brady in action for the Republic of Ireland
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has dismissed reports linking them with a move for Republic of Ireland international Robbie Brady.
The 29-year-old is currently a free agent after departing Burnley following the expiry of his contract at the end of last season.
Warnock has made no secret of the fact he would like to add a left-sided player to his ranks, but the reports linking them with a move for Brady even caught him by surprise.
“I didn’t see us linked with him, if I’m honest,” he told Teesside Live. “Robbie Brady is a tremendous left-sided player with stacks of ability.
“I was surprised when he left Burnley. In fact, I think he was offered a new contract, so I’m not sure his agent has got it right for him.
“We are looking for that type of player on that side, out of contract.
“But you’ve got to be so careful because players like that won’t have been involved in any training with a squad and they’ll be behind. They’ll be training on their own.
“It’s alright looking, but unless the right one comes along, we’ll have to just muck on with what we’ve got.”
Assessing who will be the next Premier League manager to get the sack
Robbie Brady’s link to Swansea
Brady was linked with a move to Championship outfit Swansea last month, but Swans manager Russell Martin also said there was nothing in it.
“I love Robbie as a guy. He’s brilliant. Fantastic player. Been in the Premier League for the last however long,” Martin told Wales Online last month.
“But I haven’t spoken to him. I haven’t spoken to him for a while, being honest.
“So there’s nothing in that at the moment. He’s a good player. Really good player, but I just think we’ve got a lot of players at the moment, we just need to work out who’s going to fit in and who’s going to really be with us over a long period of time.
“If it was different timing, then I’d possibly be telling you that I’d be really interested in it, but at this moment in time, there’s nothing there.”
The Dublin-born winger has won 57 caps for Ireland since making his international debut in 2012.
Brady made 81 appearances for Burnley between 2017-21. He also enjoyed time at Hull and Norwich before his move to Turf Moor.
READ MORE: Southampton seek January signing of Championship star at contract impasse