It would be understandable had the Aston Villa loanee started to wonder whether his move to Middlesbrough in the January transfer window was the right one.
But if any doubts were present, he quickly shifted them to one side and focused on forcing his way into Michael Carrick’s side and helping Boro rediscover their form.
He’s done exactly that.
“Credit to him for his attitude – he wants to learn, he wants to get better,” said impressed boss Carrick.
“He’s played three or four different roles for us when the week before coming to us he was playing Champions League football.
“You can see though, he’s doing everything he can and his attitude is absolutely spot on. He’s been an absolute pleasure to work with and help develop. He’s got a really good chance of having a good career.”
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With Neto Borges moving inside to help cover in the absence of injured central defenders, Iling-Junior set about making the left-back spot his own. He’s getting better by the week and his understanding with Finn Azaz down that flank is growing.
“Sam’s done really well,” said Carrick, whose Boro side are looking to make it three wins on the bounce when they host Leeds United at the Riverside tonight (8pm).
“He’s settled and you can see that in terms of the football he’s playing right now. He’s still really young and it was a lot to deal with [the move]. But you can see the quality he’s brought, and he’s settled into the position really well.
“Obviously the goal [at Blackburn] is a good moment for him. The Oxford game was particularly impactful for him as well, and I’m sure he can carry that on.
“We can all look and just assume he’s a footballer and this is how he should perform, or this is what he should get out of the other side. But it doesn’t always happen like that.
“That doesn’t mean you’re not trying or you don’t care, or anything like that. It’s just sometimes, for whatever reason, not just on Sam but anyone, it can take a little bit of time.”
While Iling-Junior is flourishing, fellow January arrival Ryan Giles has endured a frustrating couple of months since his return. Giles came back to Boro desperate to get his career back on track but hasn’t been able to rediscover his form from a couple of seasons ago, and since he was replaced at half-time after a nightmare first 45 minutes at Swansea the left-back has played just 10 minutes of football in the last four league games.
But Carrick says Giles is dealing with the challenge well and remains a key figure who can play an important role in the run-in.
“Ryan is really good. He’s trained fantastically well,” said Boro’s boss.
“He’s obviously champing at the bit to play, and he looks fit and sharp and is training well.
“He’s been great around the place, supporting the boys and desperate for everyone to do well. He’s going to have a big part to play.
“The squad is always massively important at this time of year. This is when all the boys need to be ready, whether that be to start or finish games, for me, it’s just as important.”
