Kim Hellberg says the best is yet to come for middlesbrough f. c. striker David Strelec after the Slovakian’s standout display in Sunday’s draw at Ipswich Town. The Middlesbrough head coach said the 25-year-old was “phenomenal” at Portman Road as he mixed a goal with a powerful all-round performance. It came after a stop-start first season in England that has been disrupted by injuries and a difficult move from Slovan Bratislava.
Middlesbrough F. c. get a lift from Strelec’s timing
Strelec scored his opener at Portman Road on Sunday, and it was only his sixth goal of the season. For middlesbrough f. c., the timing matters because goals have been hard to come by in recent matches, and Hellberg is hoping the performance can become a turning point for the striker and the team.
Hellberg said he is certain Strelec can show more consistency. He pointed to the difficulty of joining after the season had already started, the adjustment from Bratislava, and the injury that interrupted his rhythm. He also stressed that the striker has been showing his quality in training for some time, even when the full picture has not yet appeared in matches.
Why Hellberg believes the best is still ahead
The manager’s praise after the game was firm and direct. He called Strelec’s display “very, very good” and said it was “brilliant, ” adding that he expects the forward to keep it up and become “a big player” and an important part for the club over the final games. The message was clear: the performance at Ipswich was not treated as a one-off, but as evidence of what can still come from the striker.
Hellberg also highlighted the way Strelec contributed beyond the goal. He said the forward was involved in almost everything, worked hard for the team, and helped drive the attack in a game where both Middlesbrough scorers came from open play. That was especially significant because it was the first time this season that both main strikers scored from open play in the same match.
Tommy Conway adds to the attacking picture
Tommy Conway also scored on Sunday, giving the team another reason to feel encouraged. Hellberg said both strikers deserved credit for their effort and their positioning, and he hopes they can carry that feeling into the next matches. For middlesbrough f. c., that matters because the attacking unit looked more connected, and the coach described the overall performance as one that should strengthen belief.
Hellberg also praised the collective display at Ipswich, saying there were moments when his side fought through pressure and other moments when they played forward with real threat. He said the quality of the chances created was impressive and noted that the team must keep that belief if they are to keep improving.
What comes next for Middlesbrough F. c.
There is still uncertainty around how far this late-season boost can carry the team, but the signs from Portman Road were better than they have been for some time. Hellberg’s comments suggest the club is looking at Strelec not just for what he did in one game, but for what he might now produce consistently for middlesbrough f. c. in the closing stretch.
If that promise holds, Sunday could be remembered as the moment Strelec’s season began to turn. For now, the club has a clear reason to believe the best is yet to come from middlesbrough f. c. and their striker.
