Middlesbrough's most integral player named and it's not who you may think
It may be Liverpool loan player Ben Doak who is courting the majority of the headlines surrounding Middlesbrough this season but it is a player born and made much closer to home who is the man most integral to the potential success of Boro this season. That's according to a man who knows more than a thing or two about making it at the Riverside Stadium, former goalkeeping star Mark Schwarzer.
The popular ex-Boro veteran has been speaking about Boro's squad assembled under Michael Carrick and in particular, the key role one midfielder plays in what the club are trying to achieve this season. Schwarzer, who spent 11 years at Boro and holds the record for the most Premier League appearances by a non-British player, has been signing the praises of Redcar-born rising midfield star Hayden Hackney.
The 22-year-old has blossomed under Carrick after being given an opportunity in the first team, so much so that he's now a key part of how the side play. It's a fact not lost on Schwarzer, who speaking on Sky Sports said; "He's the engine. He breaks up play, his distribution is excellent whether it's quick short pass with one touch, or a long pass, he has been absolutely exceptional for them.
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"He's a local lad as well from Redcar so for Middlesbrough fans that's an even bigger plus that they have one of their own playing for the team and being the heart of midfield, and a big, big player for them."
Hackney has 18 appearances, two goals, four yellow cards and an unwanted red card to his name so far this season and will be hoping to become an even greater influence in the middle of the park as Boro try to find the level of consistency needed to become entrenched in the play-off positions.
Carrick's team currently sit in the sixth and final play-off position, sitting eight points off an automatic promotion place but potentially a defeat away from falling to eighth place in yet another competitive promotion race.
