Hayden Hackney and Rav van den Berg both played for Middlesbrough during transfer rumors.
Rob Edwards insists Hayden Hackney is entirely committed to Middlesbrough despite rising transfer speculation, and he will not hesitate to deploy him until informed differently. After assisting England’s Under-21s in retaining their European title this summer, Hackney returned to Boro amid widespread transfer speculation.
Scouts saw the Redcar midfielder throughout the tournament in Slovakia, and he is thought to have many prospective suitors in the Premier League, Europe, and Championship favourites Ipswich Town.
Boro are yet to receive any concrete bids for the 23-year-old, but are expecting them at some stage. Hackney, like Rav van den Berg, has only two years left on his Boro deal, which means that if the club does not extend it, now may be the moment to sell.
At his announcement, Edwards pledged that there would always be a plan in place if key players were sold, but with neither Hackney nor Van den Berg on the verge of leaving, both started Boro’s 3-3 friendly draw at Mansfield Town on Saturday.
When asked about Hackney’s involvement, Edwards responded: “H, as far as I’m concerned and aware at the moment, he’s here, which is why he’s playing and out on the pitch. He’s completely dedicated. He loves this football club, and we adore him. He’s an excellent player, and I think he and Aidan demonstrated that in the first half.”
When asked about Van den Berg, Edwards also mentioned their participation in the under-21 European Championships to emphasize his case. He explained: “He and Rav van den Berg took a little rest at the conclusion of the season and then a week or ten days at the end of that tournament, but they were both eager to go back in and get involved. Because they hadn’t taken much time off, they were able to catch up quickly.
George Edmundson and Finn Azaz were unable to participate in the friendly due to injuries sustained during training. Both will be evaluated ahead of Boro’s return to action against Bradford City on Wednesday evening, with the hope that neither issue is too serious as the club’s preseason preparations continue.
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