Middlesbrough winger, so long in the shadow of Stewart Downing, is revelling in the newly-discovered limelight.

 

The 21 year-old England U21 international revealed the ribbing that he has received at the Riverside following his reported link with the mighty Real Madrid during the transfer window. Many who saw Johnson’s goal for England in Spain on Tuesday night will suddenly have realised what all the fuss is about in respect of the player some consider to be a more natural wingman that his England senior international club team mate.

The Sunderland-born product of the Middlesbrough academy endured shouts of ‘galactic’ and ‘Raul’ from his peers during training. However, if he continues to produce performances and goals of the quality he showed in Spain then he may find himself in as much demand as Downing. However, Johnson is clearly not letting his increased profile go to his head. "I was flattered to be linked with Real Madrid," he said. "I don't know if there was anything in it - the manager never said anything to me. Who knows? I just got my head down and got on with the football."