Hayden Hackney has revealed the extra motivation behind Everton's Premier League clash at Newcastle United, just days after scoring in a 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over the Magpies at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The midfielder, who left boyhood club Middlesbrough for Everton in the summer in a deal worth £16.5m rising to £25m, admitted that a number of his Boro-supporting friends will be at St James' Park for the match.
“It will be, yeah,” he said when asked if it would be special returning to the North East for the first time for a game. “I would think a lot of my mates will be coming to that game! Hopefully, we can get another win.”
Emotional Return to the Riverside
Hackney was denied a proper farewell to Middlesbrough supporters when his last game for the club ended in heartbreak at Wembley in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final. However, he made an emotional return to the Riverside during the first international break for Middlesbrough's Legacy Game, part of the club's 150-year history celebrations.
Boro fans chanted 'T-T-Teessider' at the 24-year-old as he fought back the tears. Reflecting on the reception, he said: "That was an amazing moment. I'm very privileged to have had that moment to say goodbye, really, because my last game was obviously at Wembley and it wasn't really the moment to say goodbye, although the reception I got when I came on will stick with me forever. But it was a really, really nice moment."
“I grew up there, it's my club. I really enjoyed representing the club, I was honoured to represent Boro like I am with Everton now. Hopefully I can kick on now and do the same with this club.”
Settling in at Everton
Hackney opened his account for Everton in Thursday's Carabao Cup tie, scoring the second goal just before half-time. He hopes his display earns him just his second Premier League start of the campaign.
Although his game time has been limited since starting on the opening day against Crystal Palace, Hackney says he has settled in well at the club. “If I'm being honest, it's been perfect,” he said. “All the lads have took me in really well. I feel part of the group. They've been so good with me, every day in training. The staff, everyone at the club's been really good with me so I feel like I've settled in really well.”
Everton will be looking to make it back-to-back wins against Matthias Jaissle's side at St James' Park.
