"It's our fault" - Aidan Morris issues emotional Middlesbrough claim after play-off heartbreak | OneFootball

Aidan Morris has opened up on his thoughts after Middlesbrough's defeat to Hull City in the play-off final

Middlesbrough's season comes to a disappointing end, with the Teesside outfit falling at the final hurdle, as Hull City prevailed as the winners of the play-offs to book their place in the top flight for the next campaign.

Indeed, it wasn't quite to be for Boro this time around, who, despite their best efforts, couldn't get over the line.

Having been in a two-way battle for the Championship title for a large portion of the season alongside Coventry City, Kim Hellberg's side slipped down into the play-offs in the latter stages of the year.

Defeated by Southampton over two legs, Boro were given a third bite of the cherry as the Saints were expelled from the play-offs for their now infamous 'spygate' scandal, but they couldn't take advantage of that, as Hull left Wembley with the £200 million prize and a place in the top flight.

In the wake of the defeat, those surrounding Middlesbrough were especially deflated, as midfielder Aidan Morris has opened up on his emotions following the defeat.

Aidan Morris feels he has 'let down' Middlesbrough fans after play-off final defeat to Hull City

Whilst Hull supporters soak in the elation, Middlesbrough fans will be feeling the immediate aftermath of disappointment. Their side came so close once again, but it wasn't to be, as second-tier football awaits the Riverside once again next season.

Absent from the starting 11 was star midfielder Hayden Hackney, who was brought on as a late substitute in the hopes he could make a positive impact upon his return from injury alongside Morris in the midfield.

Unfortunately for Hackney, he has now almost certainly played his last game for his boyhood club, with a Premier League move beckoning, whilst USMNT teammate Morris looks set to take up his mantle.

After the game, Morris spoke on his disappointment of losing out on promotion, saying, "I feel like we let so many down. I let so many down.

"We got a second chance at it, and we could have got it done at Southampton, and we didn't get it done, and we had a chance today, and we didn't get it done either.

"The fans have been, I can't say enough, unbelievable. I didn't notice the Hull fans until they scored the goal. They're the heart and soul of this team, the club.

"Yeah, it's disappointing. We're not going to be victims; it's our fault, and we could have done more. As a collective, we weren't good enough, and that's it."

Indeed, it will take some time for those at Boro to pick themselves back up and go again next season after falling at the final hurdle, with Morris being no exception.

The 24-year-old, who joined Boro from MLS side Columbus Crew for around $4 million (£3.14 million) in the summer of 2024, will be jetting off back to his native United States this summer to represent his nation at their home World Cup.

Whilst he won't be wearing the red, white, and blue as a Premier League player, he will be keen to put this setback behind him and have a strong tournament ahead of going again next season for Boro, where, hopefully for them, they can go one better.

Aidan Morris could be a pivotal player for Kim Hellberg at Middlesbrough next season, following Hull City heartbreak

As Boro come to the realisation of their fate, they have no choice but to dust themselves down and go again next season.

Hackney almost certainly won't be a Boro player next season, with numerous Premier League clubs sniffing around for his services, opening the door for Morris to step up and take his place as the club's main man.

Morris has been superb for Boro this season and has been one of their unsung heroes. Hellberg will be hoping he continues his form heading into the next campaign, where the Swede should look to build his squad around the American to sustain an even stronger push for the Premier League.