Exclusive: Don Goodman hands Middlesbrough clear Hayden Hackney warning - "I'm really shocked" | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has revealed what he would do if he were Middlesbrough this January amid Hayden Hackney interest.

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has revealed what he would do if he were Middlesbrough this January, with their resolve set to be tested with further interest in star midfielder Hayden Hackney.

Middlesbrough have started life under new boss Rob Edwards in scintillating fashion, winning each of their opening four league matches to begin the season, followed by a 2-2 draw away to Preston North End.

The only major disappointment thus far was the 4-0 home defeat to League One Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup, though maybe uncoincidentlally, their star midfielder Hackney did not start the match - the only game he has yet to start this season so far.

Hackney, 23, has started all of Boro's Championship matches so far alongside Aiden Morris in midfield, with the pair forming a strong partnership in the centre of the park.

The England Under-21 international has spent his entire career to date with Boro, aside from a loan spell with Scunthorpe United in the 2021/22 season, and has gone on to establish himself as one of the most highly-rated players in the second tier over the past few years.

Don Goodman expects Middlesbrough to stand firm in wake of winter interest in Hayden Hackney

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has revealed the stance that he would take if he were in Middlesbrough's shoes this January, with the club holding off summer interest, there will almost definitely be teams after Hackney again this winter.

Goodman said: "Well, I'm really shocked actually that a Premier League club didn't meet Middlesbrough's valuation for Hayden Hackney, he is a player that I do rate that highly.

"From Middlesbrough's perspective, they must be absolutely thrilled that they managed to keep him, because that partnership between him and Aiden Morris is just about as good as it get's at this level, they are a phenomenal force.

"If I were Middlesbrough, I would not be even entertaining the idea that I could let Hayden Hackney go in January, but obviously I do think that there will be lots and lots of interest, certainly if he keeps this level of performance up."

Middlesbrough fought off summer interest to retain the services of Hayden Hackney

Boro, by all accounts, have had a largely successful summer, bringing in the likes of David Strelec, Sonje Hansen and Abdoulaye Kanye for multi-million pound fees, as well as securing the loan signing of Manchester City's Norwegian wonderkid Sverre Nypan.

Though maybe their best bit of business, in actuality, was retaining the services of Hackney, having fended off interest from Premier League clubs such as Everton, Crystal Palace and Wolves.

It appeared as though Hackney's departure was all but a foregone conclusion after Boro had accepted a £20 million bid from fellow Championship side Ipswich Town. However, the midfielder turned the move down, stating he only wanted to leave his boyhood club if it were for a Premier League side.

As it transpired, no Premier League move materialised, and Hackney remains a Middlesbrough player for at least the next few months, where they will no doubt have to fend off interest once again if they are to keep him at the club.

Hackney's contract on Teesside is due to run out in the summer of 2027, meaning by January he will have 18 months left on his deal, with this maybe being Boro's last chance to secure a large sum for their star asset.

Whatever the case, Boro will have to make a huge decision around Hackney's future within the next few months. If they maintain their strong start to the season, then the club will likely do everything they can to keep him at the club and aim for promotion.