Middlesbrough FC stars react to Morgan Whittaker's emotional Ipswich Town message - 'Happiest I've been' | OneFootball

Whittaker silenced his critics with what turned out to be the winner for Rob Edwards' side on Friday night.

A plethora of Middlesbrough FC stars were among those reacting to Morgan Whittaker's rather emotional social media post, with the winger scoring what proved to be the winner for his side against Ipswich Town at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro were looking for an immediate return to winning ways following a 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth prior to the two-week October international break.

Rob Edwards certainly got that from his players as they edged past the previously in-form Tractor Boys in a pulsating encounter which ended 2-1 to the hosts.

Despite the 42-year-old having a profound impact on Teesside performance levels since his appointment in place of Michael Carrick four months ago, it still hasn't been smooth sailing for Edwards or some of his players, with the aforementioned predicament applying to Whittaker within the past month or so.

However, the man who was part of the Championship's Team of the Season back in 2023/24 during his Plymouth Argyle days, was able to repay the recent faith shown in him by the Middlesbrough head coach in front of the Sky Sports cameras, with a composed finish in the opening quarters of the second half ending his long and frustrating wait for his first goal for the Reds since his well-documented move from Home Park in the final week of last campaign's January transfer window.

As such, the celebrations which followed the strike showcased the unity coursing through Middlesbrough veins right now, as well as it clearly being a weight lifted off the 24-year-old's shoulders.

Those feelings were further echoed on Instagram post-match, as Whittaker's verdict was met with several comments from current and former teammates.

Middlesbrough FC stars react as Morgan Whittaker pens emotional social media message after Ipswich Town success

After an initial slow-burning opening to Friday night's clash, the game well and truly sprung into life just before the interval, with Middlesbrough keeper Sol Brynn denying George Hirst from the spot, before Cedric Kipre turned a Delano Burgzorg cross into his own net with the final kick of the first half.

Whittaker then doubled the Reds' advantage 10 minutes into the second period with a close-range finish after Alex Palmer could only parry David Strelec's initial cross into his path.

This turned out to be the winner for Middlesbrough, who were able to preserve all three points despite Dara O'Shea's late header for the Suffolk side.

The relief which came alongside the attacker's first goal in red and white comes just four weeks after his 66th-minute substitution in a 2-2 draw with Preston North End at Deepdale was met with ironic cheers from sections of the travelling contingent, much to the dismay of Edwards, who referenced the flashpoint in his post-match interview.

Despite being in and out of the starting lineup in subsequent outings, Whittaker, unsurprisingly, felt that he vindicated his head coach's faith with his exploits on Friday night.

On his Instagram profile, his latest post read: "After the most difficult few months, the gaffers' support and belief in me finally paid off.

"Thank you to him, my teammates and my close circle, for the support they have shown me," Whittaker added. "Time to build on it now."

Among the replies were Middlesbrough's Scottish international forward Tommy Conway, who claimed: "Happiest I’ve been seeing a Boro goal go in ❤️ first of many my brother."

Newcastle United loanee, Matt Targett, made a rather niche reference to the July 1969 moon landing when issuing his own response, saying: "Euston we have lift off."

Boro's star midfielder - and a player who turned a move to Ipswich Town down in the summer - Hayden Hackney replied with: "So happy for you brother ❤️❤️", whilst Burgzorg also wrote: "Yesss MW!!"

The likes of Sammy Silvera, Callum Brittain, Brynn, Burgzorg, Bolton loanee Marcus Forss, and Whittaker's former Plymouth Argyle colleague, Bali Mumba as well as current Argyle loan star Law McCabe, also issued messages of support, showcasing how highly regarded Whittaker remains by many he has graced a pitch with.

Morgan Whittaker and Middlesbrough will be full of confidence after Ipswich Town victory

Despite Middlesbrough entering the encounter in second place, there was a strong sense that, if anything, it would be Ipswich most likely to take all three points after a recent upsurge in form from Kieran McKenna's side that shot them up to ninth due to the very congested nature of the Championship table, as well as the strength-in-depth at the Northern Irishman's disposal.

However, Edwards' side were able to return to the best version of themselves and more than justified their success over the course of the 90 minutes with a controlled and clinical display that has seen them return to the Championship summit for the time being, ahead of Coventry City's clash with Blackburn Rovers.

Many players - none more so than Whittaker - will now be full of confidence heading into the upcoming block of fixtures, which continues against cash-strapped Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, in what could be an intriguing experience for the visitors due to a planned boycott against Dejphon Chansiri from a vast majority of those in the Steel City.