Claudio Ranieri happy with Leicester's spirit after draw with Middlesbrough

By Patrick Surlis

Monday 2 January 2017 17:04, UK

Claudio Ranieri praised Leicester's defending against Middlesbrough in their goalless draw on Monday, describing their second straight clean sheet as "fantastic".

The Premier League champions followed up their 1-0 win over West Ham on New Year's Eve with another impressive defensive performance at the Riverside.

Robert Huth was named man-of-the-match for the Foxes, who were second best for much of the game on Teesside but managed to grind out a result.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Ranieri said: "We came here to look for a minimum of one point. We defended well and it was a normal game for a draw.

"It was good, we showed a good spirit. We of course wanted to do something more but it was difficult today because they closed very well every action.

"They tried to go around us to make some crosses and one or two crosses were very, very dangerous but nothing difficult for us. One point is very important to start 2017 well.

"Last season our strength was not conceding, to be solid and to try to score a goal. The second clean sheet in a row is fantastic.

"We must continue in this way and now we have to think about the FA Cup against Everton."

Leicester are set to lose Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani, Daniel Amartey and Jeff Schlupp to Africa Cup of Nations duty later this week but Ranieri was non-committal when asked about possible reinforcements in the January window.

"I have very good players and I am very confident with all the squad," Ranieri added.

"It is one month of the market and every press conference will be about how we look for players and which players arrive.

"This is normal. We always have our eyes open to see everything. If something good arrives, I am happy."