Karanka: Promotion the priority for Middlesbrough despite FA Cup heroics

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has his eyes firmly set on promotion to the Premier League despite upsetting reigning champions Manchester City in the FA Cup.

Goals from Patrick Bamford and Kike secured a memorable 2-0 victory over Manuel Pellegrini’s men but the Boro boss has reiterated his target is to return to the top flight.

Middlesbrough, who have been in the wilderness since 2009, secured one of the more surprising results of the fourth round but despite their heroics, promotion to the Premier League is still their number one priority.

Karanka said: “Someone told me that we are two or three games from Wembley, but my focus is on Brentford on Saturday.

“Our objective is to get promotion this season and it is going to be very tough, so we have to think about the following game.”