Middlesbrough: Newcastle & Ipswich could cause a problem for Celtic & Rangers this summer: View | OneFootball

It has been an excellent few weeks for Middlesbrough in the Championship.

After losing to Coventry City in the play-off semi-finals last season, Boro made a slow start to the campaign, failing to win any of their first seven league games.

Michael Carrick's side have improved significantly since then, but inconsistency has plagued them throughout the season, and that has proved costly in their pursuit of another top six finish.

Boro extended their unbeaten run to nine games as they picked up an excellent point in the 1-1 draw with leaders Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday, with Massimo Luongo's equaliser cancelling out Emmanuel Latte Lath's opener for the visitors, and they were unlucky not to win the game.

However, Boro currently sit ninth in the table, and they are eight points from the play-off places with just three games of the season remaining.

It is set to be a busy summer at the Riverside Stadium as Carrick rebuilds his squad for a promotion push next season, and there could be changes in the goalkeeping department.

According to FTBL Australia, Newcastle United, Celtic, Rangers and FC Copenhagen are all interested in goalkeeper Tom Glover, who only joined the club from Melbourne City last season.

However, the trio's hopes of landing the Australia international could depend on the future of his fellow shot-stopper Seny Dieng, who is also attracting attention from elsewhere.

Seny Dieng future could impact Celtic and Rangers' Tom Glover pursuit

Dieng began the season as Boro's number one after his £2 million move from Queens Park Rangers, but he sustained a thigh injury in December, which gave Glover a run in the team.

Despite Dieng returning to fitness in February, Carrick initially stuck with Glover between the sticks, but after the 26-year-old made a number of mistakes, Dieng was restored to the team.

Glover's performances may have been unconvincing this season, but it seems he is on the radar of other clubs, and as he is currently second choice, Boro could be open to allowing him to depart if they receive a suitable offer.

However, there has also been speculation over Dieng's future, with Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town and Sevilla all said to be eyeing a move for the Senegal international.

Dieng has kept 10 clean sheets in 32 games this season, and it is no coincidence that Boro's upturn in form began when he returned to the team.

Boro would be reluctant to lose Dieng this summer, but the club could receive a sizeable offer for the 29-year-old, and the opportunity to play in the Premier League could be tough for him to turn down.

Carrick would surely be unwilling to sanction the exit of both of his first choice goalkeepers, and Dieng's departure could result in disappointment for Celtic and Rangers in their pursuit of Glover.

Boro do have other goalkeepers on their books, but the likes of Liam Roberts and Sol Brynn were loaned out this season, and Jamie Jones is currently third choice, so it remains to be seen whether Carrick would trust any of them to become number one next season.

Carrick dismissed reports of interest in Dieng, telling The Northern Echo: "That’s (the speculation over Dieng) the nature of the beast. I don’t take too much interest in anything like that.

"We know the squad we’ve got, the players we’ve got and what they’re capable of. In terms of who is linked with who and what’s going on, it doesn’t bother me."

It would be something of a surprise if Newcastle made a move for Dieng with Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka, Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie already at the club, while the Magpies have also been linked with Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale.

Crystal Palace are similarly well-stocked with Sam Johnstone and Dean Henderson currently competing for the number one spot, but Ipswich could be in the market for goalkeeping reinforcements this summer as Vaclav Hladky and Christian Walton are both out of contract.