What Troy Deeney has told Middlesbrough’s Kim Hellberg about Southampton spygate saga | OneFootball

The former Watford star made a strong plea to Kim Hellberg in a post-match interview

The Championship play-offs have been full of iconic moments and talking points throughout their 40 years of existence, with Troy Deeney certainly one man synonymous with the post-season lottery.

14 years have passed since the former striker wrote himself into the history books of the play-offs and wider football in general for his iconic last-gasp strike for Watford against Leicester City in the 2012/13 semi-final second leg at Vicarage Road, just seconds after Anthony Knockaert's controversial penalty was saved by Manuel Almunia to deny the Foxes from securing their place at Wembley.

Although the Hornets were eventually defeated in the final by Crystal Palace, it is a moment which supporters of any club can remember where they were at that exact moment in time, and the moment has since been replayed millions of times over.

In the current play-offs, those of a Millwall, Southampton, Middlesbrough and Hull City persuasion are also looking to see their names forever associated with glory, with the second legs of both ties coming up on Monday and Tuesday evening at The Den and St Mary's respectively.

Both first leg ties ended goalless, although the encounter between Boro and the Saints was certainly far more entertaining, not least as a result of the spygate saga which broke out in the days leading up to the match, and is still rumbling on afterwards.

Deeney, of course, is a figure who isn't shy to showcase his opinions on any matter, and the 39-year-old's comments at the end of a post-match interview with Middlesbrough head coach, Kim Hellberg, has certainly divided opinion.

Troy Deeney hopes Middlesbrough overcome Southampton at St Mary's after spygate play-off saga

This situation, of course, isn't the first 'spygate' saga to surround the Championship, with Leeds United fined £200,000 in 2019 after being found guilty of such controversies against Derby County, before the Rams got the last laugh in two dramatic play-off semi-finals months later, winning 4-3 on aggregate.

It was reported on Friday night that the EFL had eventually charged Southampton amid revelations of a Saints staff member being spotted taking images and recording footage of a training session at Middlesbrough's Rockliffe Park training base.

After claims emerged that Saints had accepted the EFL's charge after breaking the governing body's regulations, it was then reported in the lead-up to kick off that the Hampshire outfit did not instruct the analyst to perform such actions, and that the figure in question was acting on their own behalf. Saints are also reportedly hoping this defence will satisfy the EFL.

Either side of the goalless draw, which left Hellberg's side frustrated, especially after an onslaught of first-half chances, both he and Tonda Eckert faced several questions on the matter.

The Swede was particularly open about his stance on the matter, while Eckert refused to comment beyond the club statement which Southampton released on Friday, leading to the German walking out of his written media press conference after facing further questions.

However, after summarising the pre-game antics and the overall first leg performance with Hellberg on CBS Sports Golazo, Deeney said to the Boro boss: "You handled yourself unbelievably well.

"I wish you all the best. I'll say it for you. Make sure you beat them, I don't like cheats," the former Watford and Birmingham City man stated.

Such comments were left by an intriguing silence by his fellow panelists in the CBS studio before Hellberg's interview officially ended, and they have also done the rounds on social media.

Middlesbrough will fancy their chances at St Mary's despite Southampton's home advantage

Aside from the off-pitch saga, Middlesbrough will certainly fancy their chances on the South Coast in 48 hours' time, especially as they are still undefeated against Southampton this season.

Naturally, there will be more of an onus on Eckert's team to attack the Teessiders from the off, having withstood a barrage of pressure at the Riverside, meaning there could also be space for Hellberg's team to hit Saints on the counter if they are to improve on the quality of their finishing, which has been an achilles heel of theirs for the past two months or so.

Regardless, the tie is finely poised, and Tuesday's clash will no doubt add to the drama, as many would expect the controversy to rumble on after the full-time whistle irrespective of the final outcome of who will take on Millwall or Hull for a place in the Premier League in North London on May 23rd.