Hayden Hackney was good enough to play in the Premier League last year, according to the manager who gave him his senior debut. Neil Warnock provided the England youth international with his big moment in Middlesbrough’s FA Cup defeat at Brentford back in January 2021.
Warnock's Confidence in Hackney
The veteran manager said he had followed Hackney’s career ever since and is confident the 24-year-old will do well at Everton. Hackney moved to Merseyside earlier this summer for an initial £16.5m. While David Moyes introduced him carefully to Everton’s pre-season preparations - taking into account the injury that ruined the end of last season for the central midfielder - Hackney has grown in stature as his minutes have increased.
With James Garner, Christian Norgaard and Tim Iroegbunam out injured, he is almost certain to make his Premier League debut in the season opener against Crystal Palace on Saturday. For Warnock, it will be an overdue opportunity.
Hackney's Championship Success
Warnock said: “He stayed loyal last year to help them [Middlesbrough] try and go up, and I think he could’ve been in the Premier League last year. I’m really pleased to see him there now. I always look at my young lads in the Premier League. I’ll be looking at him and seeing how he does, they [Hackney and another former Warnock player, Jack Rudoni] are both really smashing lads.”
Hackney was named the Championship player of the year last season and was close to steering Middlesbrough to the top flight before injury ended his campaign prematurely. He made it back for the final stages of the play-off final against Hull City but could not inspire his side to victory at Wembley.
Right Manager for the Step Up
On his prospects in Royal Blue, Warnock told Midnite, as part of the site’s launch of its ‘Built Different Index’: “I think he'll do ever so well. He's got such enthusiasm and I think it rubs off on his teammates and he'll want to prove things. And I think, in David Moyes, he's got the right manager as well.”
