Neil Warnock says he "can't think of a better player" he's ever managed than Paddy McNair.
Warnock has been high on praise for the Northern Ireland player since becoming Middlesbrough manager in the summer.
He has already compared the 25-year-old to German legend Franz Beckenbauer, albeit in a friendly against Plymouth Argyle.
Warnock has hailed McNair's qualities as a "pro and a person", and believes he will be playing in Europe in the next "two or three years".
The Boro boss added: “I can’t think of one better (than McNair), I really can't.
“I keep thinking, but I can’t come up with anyone.
“I’ve had goalscorers – (Adel) Taarabt and (Victor) Moses and people like that, individuals who can do a bit of magic.
"But as a player, as a pro, as a person, I’ve never had a better specimen than this.
“The really exciting thing is that he’ll get better than this too. I’ll be surprised in the next two or three years if he’s not playing in Europe at the very top.
"He’s the best I’ve ever seen.”
While McNair might naturally see himself as a midfielder, Warnock is in no doubt where his best abilities lie.
“Is he a defender? Without a shadow of a doubt,” he added.
“He thinks he’s a midfield player, but I’ve told him he's an average midfield player.
"He’s an excellent centre-half though!”
