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Jack Daley involved in Middlesbrough's pre-season friendly at Celtic(Image: Steve Welsh/PA Wire)

Kim Hellberg says Jack Daley earned his big opportunity through hard work in training and proving himself well-suited to how Kim Hellberg wants Middlesbrough to play.

The 19-year-old centre-back was a surprise starter for Boro in their 1-1 draw at Celtic. It followed a bout of illness that ravaged the Boro squad, leaving them without a senior midfielder.

And while Abdoulaye Kante had only arrived back for pre-season that week and was therefore unlikely to start, Hellberg opted to move Adilson Malanda into midfield to cover the absence of Aidan Morris over Law McCabe. Daley then partnered Luke Ayling in defence.

The Boro boss’ decision paid off as Daley impressed in a mature performance at Celtic Park. He defended the Boro box well amid early pressure from the hosts, and then grew into the game as far as his confidence in possession was concerned.

Hellberg said: “We had different solutions. It's still a friendly game but I felt what he has known, and how he has acted, and how he suits the way we want to play, he deserved a brilliant opportunity.

“I tried to give him that chance against a good side with some very good players. I think the striker [Duran] scored five in the Champions League last season. I was impressed by him, and he has a lot of good qualities.

“He found out in training yesterday. He knew he was going to play, I had a lot of confidence in him and felt he would do good. And he did.”

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Offering more on his performance, Hellberg continued: “It was one of the most impressive halves I've seen from a young kid. It's just a friendly game but he did absolutely brilliant.

“He played with control, he was brave on the ball, he headed it. Bill helped him a lot but he did really good.”

Daley will hope to continue impressing over the summer to move himself closer to the first-team set-up.

He could be involved again as Boro play Huddersfield Town in a behind-closed-doors friendly this weekend. They then host Espanyol in front of fans at the Riverside on Saturday, August 1.

Daley is not new top senior football, despite spending last season - his first at Boro - with the under-21 squad. The 19-year-old joined Boro from Northern League side Newcastle Blue Star, for whom he made over 30 appearances for.