Middlesbrough still have work to do between now and the end of the season.
Currently sat 14th in the Championship table, Michael Carrick‘s side are just six points clear of the relegation zone.
However, they do have games in hand on every other team in the division. They will therefore, need to pick up some more positive results, to ensure they steer clear of the bottom three.
While doing that, one player whose future they will now have to think about, is Hayden Hackney.
The midfielder has been a revelation since breaking into the Middlesbrough first-team, having come through the club’s academy.
That has already seen him attract plenty of attention from elsewhere. Premier League sides such as Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest have all been credited with an interest in the 21-year-old this season.
But despite that, Carrick is seemingly still keen to keep Hackney at Middlesbrough beyond the summer transfer window if at all possible.
Michael Carrick on Hayden Hackney future
Given the level of interest there is in Hackney from the top-flight of English football, it could be hard for ‘Boro to resist interest in him this summer.
However, Carrick is not ready to let him go easily, even if he does believe the midfielder can go a long way in the game.
The 21-year-old was recently named Young Player of the Year at North East Football Awards.
Speaking after that about whether his side can keep Hackney, the Middlesbrough boss was quoted by The Teesside Gazzette as saying:
“You obviously want to keep hold of your best players. Hayden is a shining light for the club in that he has come through the academy and epitomises what the academy is all about, so credit to all the coaches and staff who have played a part in getting him to where he is today.
“I’m not taking any credit for Hayden Hackney winning the Young Player of the Year award. He’s a talented lad and more importantly he is so down to earth and humble. He’s willing to listen and he’s a very fast learner, so anything you tell him he takes on board straight away.
“Credit to him for the consistency he has shown because it is not easy for such a young player in their first year of professional football, but he has managed to do that. There will be many more challenges ahead of him in his career and he will certainly have a bright future if he continues to do the right things. I’m really looking forward to seeing how he develops.”
There are still more than three years remaining on Hackney’s contract at The Riverside Stadium. That secures his future with the club until the end of the 2026/27 season.
As a result, Middlesbrough will be in a strong position to respond to any offers that come in for him during the summer.
Keeping Hayden Hackney a big boost for Middlesbrough
It would be a major lift for ‘Boro if they were able to keep Hackney beyond the end of the summer transfer window.
The midfielder has already become a key player for the club. He is one of the driving forces in their midfield, and has made some important contributions with his attacking threat as well.
Indeed, he is a player who is missed by Middlesbrough, when he is unavailable for one reason or another.
Keeping him around to play as much of a part as possible, would surely therefore be important for the club’s prospects going forward.
Indeed, given that level of interest he is attracting, it would be a welcome statement of intent to send out, by keeping him at the club.
As a result, you fee Middlesbrough must be ready to stand firm with regards to the future of Hackney, once the market opens in the summer.