HAYDEN HACKNEY admits it was bittersweet getting his European Championship call-up 24 hours after Middlesbrough mentor Michael Carrick was axed.
He also revealed the encouraging final words his former boss had for him ahead of him flying out with the Young Lions to try and retain their Euro crown.
The 22-year-old Hackney, who SunSport exclusively revealed is being tracked by Tottenham, is in Slovakia preparing for England U21s’ first group game against Czechia on Thursday.
The midfielder has become one of the most-sought after players in the Championship after being handed a chance to blossom at his hometown club under Carrick.
Hackney is chomping at the bit now to make his mark on the international stage after being selected by Lee Carsley – though he admitted that the news of the Manchester United legend’s sacking soured it a little.
He said: “I found out Thursday I was in the squad and told my mum and dad and yeah I was buzzing.
“But also, yeah I was gutted about Michael Carrick to be honest. He’s done loads for me.
“He put his trust in me to play the majority of games and helped me so much with everything really. I can’t thank him enough for that.
“I text him straight away wishing him all the best in the future and he replied wishing me good luck for going away with England. It was nice.
“It’s probably the first manager that I’ve lost and I just wanted to thank him for everything. But now a new guy will come in, whoever that may be, and as a squad we’ll go from there.”
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Hackney finds himself alongside some big names from huge clubs all across the Continent in the England set-up.
But the shy-Teessider admitted that after Carsley initially helped him settle into the camp, he now feels that he belongs on this stage too.
Hackney, who previously represented Scotland U21s before switching and making his Young Lions debut in 2023, said: “Lee Carsley was welcoming when I first came in.
“When I’m on a training ground, he gives me tips and he’s just put his trust in me to go out there and play.
“Oviously, when I first came in, I didn’t know what to expect but once the first session was out of the way, you get into it. It’s really good. We’re all good mates and really get on with each other.
“Now my main goal at this tournament is just to play really. Grasp the experience, take it all in and do as well as we can and obviously the main objective is to win it.
“That’d be unbelievable. Obviously there’s a long way to go but if we could do that then it’d be special.”
And he doesn’t have to look far for much inspiration.
Fellow Teessider, Boro man and big pal Dael Fry, 27, won both the U17 European Championship and U20 World Cup with England.
Hackney added: “Dael at Boro still speaks a lot about his time with England. He says how much he enjoyed the whole experience of it all, all the competitions and some of the players he played with have gone on to do some unbelievable stuff.
“He has just said how it’s a great experience and to savour it.”
England kick-off their Euro campaign against the Czech Republic on Thursday.
They then face Slovenia three days later and finish the group stage against Germany on Wednesday 18 June with all of the Young Lions’ matches being broadcast on Channel 4.
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