Neil Warnock has spoken highly of Everton’s close-season acquisition and expressed faith in David Moyes as the ideal manager to guide his transition from the second tier.
The midfielder was deserving of top-flight football twelve months ago according to the manager who handed him his first-team debut.
Warnock handed Hackney his breakthrough moment during Middlesbrough’s FA Cup exit at Brentford in January 2021.
The experienced manager revealed he has monitored Hackney’s progress since that match and believes the 24-year-old will flourish at the Merseyside club.
The central midfielder completed his move to the blue half of Liverpool earlier this summer in a deal worth an initial £16.5m. While Moyes integrated him cautiously into Everton’s pre-season programme, taking into account the injury that disrupted the end of his previous campaign, Hackney has built up his fitness as his appearances have grown.
With James Garner, Christian Norgaard and Tim Iroegbunam all sidelined through injury, he is virtually guaranteed to make his Premier League bow in the opening game of the season against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
For Warnock, the move represents a long-awaited opportunity. He noted that Hackney remained committed to Middlesbrough last term in their attempt to reach the top flight, adding that the player could have been featuring in the Premier League already. He expressed his pleasure at seeing Hackney now established there, stating he always keeps track of his former young players in the top division and will be watching closely to see how he progresses, describing both Hackney and fellow former charge Jack Rudoni as excellent individuals.
Hackney collected the Championship’s player of the year accolade last season and came close to securing Middlesbrough’s promotion to the top tier before a hamstring problem prematurely ended his season. He returned for the closing stages of the play-off final against Hull City at Wembley but was unable to inspire his team to victory.
Regarding his future in royal blue, Warnock told Midnite during the platform’s launch of its Built Different Index that he expects Hackney to excel. He cited the player’s tremendous drive and noted how that energy positively influences those around him, adding that Hackney will be eager to demonstrate his abilities. Warnock believes Moyes represents the ideal manager for him at this stage of his career.