Mido Reveals All

Are you glad you came to Teesside and are you surprised by how much the fans love you?

What do you think of the Middlesbrough support after coming from Tottenham and having a full houses almost every week? Does it affect your game?

Mido: I am very grateful to the Middlesbrough fans for the way they have supported me. It is very important for a player to feel he is loved by the fans. All players like to play in front of big crowds and although the stadium is not full, the Boro fans have shown they can give great support.

What are your aspirations for Middlesbrough Football Club this season? Where do you expect us to finish or where would you like us to finish?

Mido: Obviously I would like us to finish as high as we can, I came here to help the club achieve a good placing and I think we can get that. I don't think top four is realistic, but top 10 definitely.

All Egypt is proud of Mido. Do you think you can be the top striker this league? Can you be a 20-goal-a-season striker for Boro? How many goals do you think you will score this season?

Mido: I never set myself targets, I just try to score as many goals as I can. Some people say you should get two or three goals against this team or that team, but it's silly. It is hard to score a goal and if I score just one goal in a game that is good. But obviously I try to score more.

What about your hopes in the future and in your private life?

Mido: I hope that my son grows up to be a respectful young man and that my family remain healthy. That is the most important thing for me.

If you could pick anyone to have as your perfect strike partner who would it be? Please don't say Yakubu or Viduka!

Mido: Robbie Keane

Your performance is very nice but can you play with Tuncay Sanli?

Mido: We are all still getting used to each other and the way we play. There are some very good players at this club and I feel for sure that we can all play together, whatever team is picked.

Who was your best mate at Spurs and who was the hardest player you faced?

Mido: Robbie Keane and Hossam Ghaly were the players I got on best with. The hardest player? That is a tough one, there have been many, but maybe Fabio Cannavaro.

Who is the best player you have played with?

Mido: I have played with some great players. Remember I started at Ajax and there were some great players there. Players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Christian Chivu, Rafael van der Vaart and Andy van der Meyde. Then at Tottenham there was Robbie Keane.

We see you playing football in the UK very, very well but when you come with our national team you aren't the same. Do you know why?

What are the probabilities for Egypt to win the African Cup of Nations?

I greatly respect your choice to join the Egyptian national team whenever needed, although it obviously has a negative effect on your club stats and post-tournament performance. Will you do the same when the next African Cup of Nations comes around?

Mido: I think things are different when you play for your club and your country. The games and the players are not the same. I don't know why this is, but that is what I feel, maybe it will be different in the future. I think Egypt must have a good chance in the African Cup of Nations, but I don't know if I will be selected, that is not my choice.

What is your relationship with the three other Egyptian players in England, Ahmed Fathi, Mohamed Shawky and Hossam Ghaly?

Mido: We all get on well.

I consider Mido the most legendary player in Egypt's football history who was able to make this strong impression in both African and European football. What is the secret in that, knowing that majority of Egyptian players they don't survive the harshness of the European professional football levels and they end up returning back to the Egyptian league very soon?

Mido: I don't think there is any secret. I have been lucky to have achieved what I have and to have played where I have, but it takes a lot of work and practice.

Do you think Mohamed Shawky will be a good deal for the Boro?

Mido: Yes. He has shown he is a good player for Egypt and he has trained well here. I think it will take him time to adjust to the game in this country, but I think he will be a good player for the club.

was playing football in Alexandria sporting club, I was a striker too. You are my favourite player in the whole world. I want to be like you so what can I do?

Mido: Work hard, be respectful and listen to good coaches. But always try to enjoy your football.

When you scored past Newcastle you looked really happy with yourself. Did you really enjoy that goal if so why?

How did it feel when you scored your first goal for Boro?

Mido: It is always important to score for your new club. It is a way of thanking the fans for the support they show. It felt really good to score. Every player, especially a striker, wants to score. And yes, I did enjoy scoring in that game, but I always do.

Do you ever get nervous before a match?

Mido: No, I never get nervous before a game.

Who is your best mate in football?

Mido: Probably Robbie Keane, although Ghaly is my friend too.

If Boro are awarded a penalty while you are on the pitch, will you be taking it?

Mido: I will be taking the penalties for Middlesbrough this season

Why did you accept the number nine shirt and what about shirt number 11?

Mido: Number nine is a favourite number of mine and I like wearing the number nine shirt. When I came here nine was available, so I asked if I could have it.