TEENAGE defender Ben Gibson intends to return to boyhood heroes Middlesbrough and fight for a first-team place after ending his loan spell at York City with two Wembley winners’ medals.

But the former England youth international will not rule out a temporary move back to Bootham Crescent should he fail to make the breakthrough at the Championship club next season.

Gibson has made one senior outing for Boro, at the end of the 2010/11 season, but intends to discuss his future with Riverside boss Tony Mowbray before considering his plans for next term.

The 19-year-old, who is the nephew of Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson, told The Press: “I’ve got another two years at Middlesbrough and, while now is not the time to think about anything, I want to enjoy my summer and go to Middlesbrough and fight for my place there.

“My main ambition is to play for Middlesbrough – it’s been my dream since being a little boy so I would like to see if I can do that but we will see what the manager says when I go back there.”

Gibson also believes his experiences this season, both in a struggling League Two side during the first three months of the campaign at Plymouth and later as part of Gary Mills’ double-winning City team, will have helped his professional development.

Gibson said: “I’ve gone from one edge of the earth to the other.

“We were going through hard times at Plymouth but I learned a lot and still cherish my time there. The same applies to York City.

“I’ve had a great time and met some fantastic people who I believe will be friends for life. It’s been great to be part of a succesful team and I can’t really put into words how good it’s all been.”

Gibson feels his affinity with City’s fans and desire to deliver success for them has been made all the greater because he hails from nearby Nunthorpe.

He added: “It’s been brilliant because I’m a fairly local boy and know what York City means to the people and, the way I am, I look to be successful wherever I go and like to win every game you can do. I’ve been lucky enough to pretty much do that at York and the last two games have meant so much.”

On his own display at left-back during Sunday’s 2-1 Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final victory over Luton, Gibson was a little self-critical but will not be dwelling on any negatives now.

He said: “I could have done better on a couple of occasions but that’s not important now. You have to enjoy the celebrations when they come along and to get two wins at Wembley in a week is fantastic.”

Nor is the 2010 England UEFA Under-17 European Championship winner attempting to distinguish between the feeling of tasting success for both club and country.

“To play for your country is one of the best things you could ever do,” he said. “It’s something you dream of but to play and win at Wembley in front of so many people is perhaps on a higher scale.

“I’m not really thinking about which feels better though. They are both on a par really.”

Having tasted life in League Two with Plymouth last term, Gibson also predicts that City will not need a major overhaul of their squad to challenge for honours in 2012/13.

He said: “Personally, I don’t think things would need to change too much but we will see what the manager does next season. In my opinion, we have a very good group of lads and I would really fancy us to do well.”