Middlesbrough: Luke Ayling & Hayden Hackney react to what Finley Munroe did for Blackpool | OneFootball

Middlesbrough's Luke Ayling and former star Hayden Hackney have reacted to what Finley Munroe did for Blackpool on Saturday afternoon...

Luke Ayling and Hayden Hackney have reacted to Finley Munroe bagging his first Blackpool goal in League One since leaving Championship side Middlesbrough on loan.

Finley Munroe’s career was initially built around gaining senior experience away from Aston Villa. After joining Villa from Chelsea’s academy in 2021, the defender made two senior appearances before spending 2024/25 on loan with Spanish side Real Union, where he made 24 league appearances.

He then moved to Swindon Town for the first half of 2025/26, producing two goals and seven assists in 23 League Two games. Per the BBC, it's reported Middlesbrough subsequently paid around £300,000 for him in January, but with only limited Championship football since, another loan to Blackpool made sense.

Declan Rice among those to praise cousin Finley Munroe for Blackpool goal

Regular League One football should accelerate his development and potentially leave him ready to compete for a Championship role in 2027/28, rather than spending another season largely on the fringes for Kim Hellberg's new-look Middlesbrough side.

Just five days before the first Saturday of the league season in the EFL, Munroe was signed by Blackpool on loan. Hayden Coulsen started their opening game at Bloomfield Road against Wycome Wanderers but Munroe was to end the game at left-back for Ian Evatt's side.

Blackpool went 1-0 down to the visitors but Munroe bagged the equaliser just four minutes after his introduction from the bench. It ended 1-1 but Munroe's impressive feat has seen former Middlesbrough teammates respond.

Munroe wrote on Instagram and said: "Unlucky not to come away with all 3 points but buzzing to score my first goal for this club🧡"

Declan Rice, Munroe's cousin and England star of the World Cup, also said: "incredible ❤️"

Finley Munroe's career stats so far following Blackpool goal

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Munroe's rise in the last 18 months in particular has been impressive, particularly given how quickly he has progressed from academy football into senior competitive games.

His loan at Swindon produced two goals and seven assists in 23 League Two appearances, convincing Middlesbrough to swoop for a permanent deal before he was sent to Blackpool for the 2026/27 campaign.

Much like League Two was, League One should hopefully prove a relatively straightforward next step for a player with his technical ability and experience from left-back, allowing him to play regularly and build up confidence.

If Munroe fulfils his potential at Bloomfield Road, there is every reason to believe he can eventually feature regularly for Middlesbrough or another Championship club in the near future. It was a real coup for Blackpool and Evatt to acquire the player's services this season.

Kim Hellberg's view of Finley Munroe

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Munroe's best attributes include his engine and his delivery via crossing, making him particularly well suited to operating as an attacking left-back. He has the stamina to repeatedly get up and down the flank, while his delivery gives him a genuine outlet when he reaches the final third.

On Munroe, Middlesbrough boss Hellberg said the following back in April: "He did good. We signed him from League Two and he has to adjust to the Championship. I could see at the end he was very, very tired. You can see how good of a left foot he has. I'm happy for him and it's something we can build from."

His versatility is another strength, with Munroe capable of playing at centre-back or wing-back as well as a traditional left-back. Blackpool manager Evatt has already highlighted his quality in a short substitute appearance and it should be expected for Munroe to be important on the left-hand side.