THIS time last week, Morgan Whittaker was dealing with the aftermath of Miron Muslic's claim that the forward had failed to turn up to play for Plymouth against Burnley.

It was, as Whittaker has since explained, "not true", with the 24-year-old having sat down with Muslic the day before the game and, he thought, come to an agreement with Plymouth's new boss that, given the fact was set to leave the club, it was best that he wasn't involved.

"It was very upsetting," he said, reflecting on the fall-out of Muslic's claims after Argyle were thumped by Burnley.

"Plymouth was a massive part of my career so the way it ended and how it ended, I didn't like it at all.

"What was said about me after the Burnley game, I knew it wasn't true, the players knew it wasn't true and everyone at the club knew it wasn't true.

"We had an agreement with the manager before the Burnley game. I thought it was an easy decision, he was very understanding and we went forward from there. But then there was the comments after.

"The aftermath of those comments has been very upsetting, not just for me but for my partner and family as well. We loved our time at Plymouth and for it to end how it did, it's really upsetting."

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That's why Whittaker took to Instagram at the weekend to clarify Muslic's comments. He didn't want a shadow to be left over his time at Plymouth. But now, he's looking forward and was delighted to have completed his move to Boro last week, signing a four-and-a-half year contract at the Riverside.

Having closely watched Boro, and played against them, he felt he was the ideal fit for the style of play. And conversations with Michael Carrick and his former Plymouth teammate Finn Azaz only strengthened that belief.

"Middlesbrough is the perfect opportunity, with the manager, players and style of football," he told the club website.

"Being back with Finn was a big appeal as well because he set up most of my goals last season! Just everything fit well and I know what I need next.

"I had really good conversations [with Carrick]. There was a very clear message on the style of play and what he wants and that's good as a player, coming in and knowing what the manager needs and wants.

"I had a couple of conversations with Finn when I knew it was a possibility. He said how good it was and how good an environment it was and it's a really good place to be.

"He set up most of my goals so I'm hoping he can do that again and we can have a strong end to the season."

Whittaker is most at home on the right flank but is comfortable playing across the forward line.

"I'm versatile," he said.

"I do like the right hand side but also playing as a 10, coming into this team with the midfielders we have and being able to find pockets of space and get into the game.

"Obviously promotion is the big aim but individually I want to get back to how I was last season: more shots, being creative and just getting more goals and assists."

And what a way to start: Sunderland at home on Monday night in a crunch Tees-Wear derby between the two Championship promotion chasers.

"It's a game you want to play in," he said.

"I'm really, really excited. It's a massive game for everyone involved and if it goes well it's a great way to start."