Riley McGree has scored once more to take another step closer towards the Premier League - so his great buddy Harry Souttar won't be expecting a call from him any time soon.

Souttar had been left joking before McGree's latest tour de force for Championship promotion challengers Middlesbrough that he doesn't hear from his fellow Socceroo now he's being feted so much for his soaring displays in England's second tier.

So there may be radio silence after McGree was once again proved a star turn for Boro in their ever-improving charge towards top-flight football, scoring one, earning another when brought down in the box and also hitting the post in Saturday's 3-1 win over QPR.

It was the second successive weekend that the attacking midfielder had both scored and assisted on goals, answering the call of his impressed Boro manager, former Manchester United star Michael Carrick, for him to keep improving his goal threat.

The former Adelaide United midfielder has been a key figure as Boro have moved closer to the top-two automatic promotion places.

After five wins in a row, they're now third, just four points behind second-placed Sheffield United, who they beat convincingly last week.

"I can't get a text back from him, he's doing so well! He's palmed me off the last couple of weeks," Souttar smiled, while reflecting on his friend's rise.

"I'm so buzzing for him, honestly. He's done phenomenally well since he got his move (from US club Charlotte) and the one thing about him that gets overlooked is how good a technical player he is.

"His numbers at the World Cup - distance covered in sprints and stuff, was probably the highest in the team along with Jacko (Jackson Irvine) - but technically as player he's really, really good too.

"I'd love it if Riley was to go up with Middlesbrough because he's not only a great player but a great guy.

"And he's still got a few tops of mine from the World Cup - I need to get them off him, so I'll need to pay him a visit soon!"