HE might not be the most vocal in the dressing room but Hayden Hackney is doing his talking on the pitch for Middlesbrough.

And even Michael Carrick admits any hopes he had of keeping the talented Redcar-born midfielder under the radar have long disappeared, for the Hackney secret is well and truly out.

This time last year the 20-year-old was on loan at Scunthorpe United, who were bottom of League Two, and after returning to Boro in the summer he didn't feature in Chris Wilder's plans and was nowhere near the first team squad in the early months of the season.

But Hackney was handed his chance under interim boss Leo Percovich after Wilder's exit and under Carrick has been a revelation, starting every league game.

It's not just what Hackney does on the pitch which the head coach loves, but his "no-fuss" approach and attitude day to day.

“I’d say he goes about his business quietly, but obviously everybody is recognising how good he’s been playing,” said Carrick.

"He doesn’t say a lot, he goes about his performances without any fuss, he just does what he’s good at and that’s what I love to see. He has huge belief and confidence but no arrogance or that kind of in-your-face attitude. He just does what he does and he’s coming on and adding to his game all of the time. I like to see that."

Despite his emergence and the huge forward steps Hackney has taken this season, the youngster is not content with standing still and, says Carrick, is always striving to improve.

"It’s very easy to come in for a few games and then that’s it, but he keeps pushing himself for more and more and he wants to learn new things and do different things in his game," said the head coach.

"Every game that goes by he keeps adding to it and he’s just a joy to stand and watch and help and coach and guide. He doesn’t actually need a lot of help because he’s doing so much on his own and he’s finding his own way, which is the beauty of young players getting that chance."

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Hackney was immense in the midweek win at Sheffield United, having a hand in the second goal before laying on the third for Cameron Archer with a perfectly timed through-ball. He's established an excellent partnership with captain Jonny Howson, which means January signing Dan Barlaser is still waiting for his first Boro start.

Hackney has one goal and three assists in his 21 Championship appearances this season. He's completely at ease in possession, with his pass success rate north of 88%. And he's equally as effective without the ball, with Tommy Smith the only regular starter who makes more tackles per game on average than the young midfielder.

Carrick was asked whether he sees similarities between Hackney and himself in terms of playing style, but the head coach was understandably reluctant to make any comparisons.

He said: “I’m not comparing because I know where that goes! Hayden is Hayden and he’s his own player. He’s a fantastic young player and fantastic lad. He’s going in the right direction at the moment and i just hope he keeps improving at the rate that he is because he’s a real pleasure to work with."