Sky Bet Championship: Aitor Karanka not surprised by Tomas Kalas' Middlesbrough debut
Monday 12 January 2015 15:50, UK
Aitor Karanka was not surprised to see new loan signing Tomas Kalas prosper on his Middlesbrough debut in Saturday's 0-0 Sky Bet Championship draw at Reading.
The 20-year-old Czech Republic international, who has joined the club for the rest of the season from Chelsea, started at right-back and more than held his own.
Karanka told the Northern Echo: "Tomas was very good. It's difficult for a player who is not playing to come into a new team, but it wasn't a surprise for me.
"I know him, I know what kind of player he is. He played last season in an amazing game for Chelsea against Liverpool at Anfield. I've known him a long time, so it's no surprise.
"He's with us and from now he will improve. He has showed that he is a good player even after just one game. He is young but he is experienced.
"He played 90 minutes for us and he could have been completely dead, but he played a full game. I've got another week to work with him and he will improve."
