Hayden Hackney was on target for Everton when they beat Newcastle United 3-1 in the Carabao Cup at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday night
Hayden Hackney after he scored for Everton against Newcastle United
Hayden Hackney after he scored for Everton against Newcastle United(Image: (James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))
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Hayden Hackney fought back the tears the last time he visited a football ground in the North East - but now he’s determined to send his friends home smiling from tonight's match at Newcastle United. Hackney departed boyhood club Middlesbrough for Everton during the summer transfer window in a deal worth £16.5m rising to £25m.
But the midfielder was initially denied the chance to say a proper goodbye to Boro supporters as his last game for the club ended in heartbreak at Wembley in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final. Hackney, though, used the first international break of the season as a chance to make an emotional return to the Riverside for Middlesbrough’s Legacy Game, which was 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, and reflecting on the reception, he said: "That was an amazing moment.
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"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."
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Hackney’s family have been ever-present at Everton home games this season, but the midfielder admits that a number of his Boro-supporting mates will be in attendance at St James’ Park this evening as the Blues look to make it back-to-back wins against Matthias Jaissle’s side.
“It will be, yeah,” he admitted when asked if it would be special going back 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.”
The Blues claimed a comfortable 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over the Magpies on Thursday night, a game in which Hackney opened his account for the club.
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Jack Grealish (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
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He scored his side’s second goal just before half-time and will be hoping his impressive display was enough to earn just his second Premier League start of the campaign tonight.
But although Hackney has found his gametime limited since starting on the opening day against Crystal Palace, he has had no problems settling in.
“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.”