Middlesbrough boss issues emotional 'SpyGate' statement as Southampton rival storms out

An emotional Kim Hellberg claimed his Premier League "dream" had been taken away from him after Middlesbrough were beaten by Southampton in their play-off semi-final amid the backdrop of spying accusations . After a goalless draw in the first leg on Saturday, Shea Charles scored a 116th-minute winner to earn the Saints a 2-1 aggregate win and they've now set their sights on the play-off final at Wembley on Saturday May 23. However it is alleged a member of Southampton staff was caught trying to observe a Middlesbrough training session last Thursday before the game at the Riverside Stadium and Hellberg has been left sickened that his influence as a coach was potentially undermined by an opposition team. Hellberg, who came in mid-season to replace Rob Edwards, said he'd been working for 15 years to get to the Premier League , but now has to digest the near miss. Speaking about his personal responsibility the emotional Boro boss said: "What I could control was the tactical aspect of the game or helping my players more. "When you have done that and, for a week or two weeks up to this game, put every second away from your family to watch Southampton every game you can to try to gain the advantage that we can actually get. "If we wouldn't have caught that man they sent up on a five-hour drive, you would sit there and say, well done, maybe, in the tactical aspect of the game and I would go home and feel like I had failed in that aspect I had to help my players with. "When that is taken away from you in that way, when someone decides: 'No, we're not going to watch every game. We'll send someone instead and film the session and see everything and hope we don't get caught'. I guess that was why they were switching clothes and all those things. "It breaks my heart in terms of all those things I believe in. That's the thing. I don't care if there are other rules in different countries. This is England where football is the biggest thing. That's my feelings about it. I think it's disgraceful. It makes me very sad." Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert walked out of a press conference at the weekend as he fielded questions on the SpyGate scandal and repeated the trick in the aftermath of the Saints' win on Tuesday. Eckert has been left to take on the questions regarding the club's alleged actions and had no interest in discussing it further. The second question of the press conference was: "Are you a cheat?" - but received no response. The press officer who accompanied him told the journalist in question to "show some respect". Southampton, who were relegated last season, will face Hull in the play-off final are they stunned Millwall on Monday night. However, Middlesbrough are still making preparations for a Wembley final themselves, with all sporting sanctions still on the cards for the Saints - including forfeiting the semi-final. Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.