How Middlesbrough supporters first reacted to Ryan Giles reunion - It hasn't gone to plan | OneFootball

Giles' Riverside return hasn't worked out so far, but did Middlesbrough supporters predict that would be the case?

Ryan Giles' return to Middlesbrough in the winter transfer window hasn't gone to plan.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a hugely fruitful loan spell with Boro during the 2022/23 season, in which he led the Championship with 11 assists.

As such, despite his struggles since both with Luton Town and Hull City respectively, news of his return for the second half of the season had the feeling of being a potentially shrewd signing by Michael Carrick.

However, Giles has made just a handful of Championship starts for the Teessiders this season, and so it's fair to say his Riverside return hasn't been a roaring success.

How Middlesbrough supporters first reacted to Ryan Giles return

Giles' return to Middlesbrough on loan for the remainder of the season was announced by the club on 23 January.

So, did Boro supporters predict the left-back's future struggles on Teesside? Football League World takes a look!

One fan simply wrote: "Poor signing."

"This will give our other 20 left-backs confidence!!! Can he play in midfield?" another added.

Other supporters were quick to point out Giles' struggles since his previous departure from Middlesbrough, as one fan wrote: "He’s never been the same player since he left us. For Luton."

There were some Boro fans who were delighted to see their former loan star back on Teesside, however. "He's home," one supporter said.

"Announce promotion," another Boro fan added.

Ryan Giles surely hasn't done enough to secure permanent Middlesbrough transfer in the summer

It's fair to say that his previous spell with Middlesbrough was when Giles was enjoying the best football of his career.

He'd played well during his time with both Blackburn, Cardiff and others, but during that 2022/23 season at the Riverside, few things were feared more across the Championship than the left boot of Boro's left-back.

Indeed, his crosses were the architect behind some brilliant and memorable Middlesbrough goals, whilst his passion and enthusiasm to play for the badge earned him a place in the hearts of the Riverside faithful.

However, that same player just has not been on display this time around, much to the frustration of fans, but nobody more than himself.

Teesside Live have suggested that Aston Villa loanee Samuel Iling-Junior is a player Middlesbrough are keen on bringing back to the Riverside on a permanent deal this summer, whilst Neto Borges has also been enjoying a real upturn in performances during the second half of the season.

With Alex Bangura still to return from injury, and with talented youngster George McCormick also knocking on the first-team door, Boro certainly aren't short of left-back options.

Therefore, unless he can find some way of forcing himself into the starting XI and contributing towards Middlesbrough's promotion push, then it will surely be back to Hull City, and indeed, the drawing board for Giles this summer.