Hayden Hackney said his first experience of playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium was everything he thought it would be as he opened up on life at Everton. The Blues completed the signing of Hackney from Middlesbrough at the start of July after agreeing a deal worth around £16m with the Sky Bet Championship club.
First Home Game Ends in Draw
The midfielder got his first taste of playing on home soil on Saturday afternoon when Everton faced Lille in their final pre-season friendly of the summer. Hakon Haraldsson’s strike deep into stoppage time cancelled Iliman Ndiaye's opener from the penalty spot.
“I enjoyed the game,” Hackney reflected after the 1-1 draw. “On the whole I thought we did well and cleared up a few things in the final third. I think we can be a bit sharper, but overall reasonably happy with the performance. It is frustrating at the end, a bit of game management (was needed), keep the ball in the corner, so they can’t counter, but overall happy.”
Reception and Settling In
Hackney was introduced to Everton supporters ahead of kick-off, and on the reception he received, he admitted: “It was unbelievable. I can’t wait to play in a Premier League game (here). The atmosphere, even though it was friendly, was everything that I thought it would be, and I can’t wait for the season to start now.”
On life as a Blues player, the midfielder continued: “I have loved it. I think I said last week when we were in Germany and I did some interviews that the lads have been unbelievable with me. I can’t thank them enough. They have made me feel welcome and it has been easy (to settle in) since I started training on day one. I have settled and that is the main thing. Hopefully I can bring my ability and help the team.”
Ready for Premier League Start
“I have had three 90 minutes. That game there I did feel ready. It took a while to get going and the Stuttgart game took me a little bit longer (to get going), but I feel ready now.”
Everton kick off their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace next Saturday, and Hackney told his team-mates: “It is important we start with a win. I know our fans will be unbelievable, we just have to do out bit now.”
