WHILE England's impressive performance and victory at Scotland was the highlight of the international break for most south of the border, a game that took place a day earlier in Luxembourg was of more importance to Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick.

It was there that Boro's midfielder Hayden Hackney made his debut for England's Under-21s.

And to say Carrick was impressed by the Teessider's display for the European champions would be an understatement.

"I thought he was the best player on the pitch by quite some way to be honest," purred the Boro boss.

And, said Carrick, Hackney's decision to play for the Young Lions having already represented Scotland at that level, suggests the midfielder has made his mind up on his international future.

"He's playing for England now at the moment so I take it that's Hayden's decision," he said.

"He's his own man and has his own aspirations in that respect. I'm here to guide him and help him as best as we can."

Hackney's first appearance for the Young Lions is yet another indicator of his remarkable progress in the last 12 months.

This time last year he was nowhere near the Boro first team when Chris Wilder was in charge but after making his first league appearance of the season in October, during Leo Pecovich's stint in charge, he went on to establish himself as one of the stand-out stars in the second tier.

There was Premier League interest in the summer but Hackney committed his future to his hometown club by a signing a new contract, which came just six months after he last agreed a new deal.

Although he played for England at Under-15 level, Hackney also qualifies for Scotland through his Edinburgh-born mother, and last season pulled on the dark blue jersey for their Under-21 side.

England, however, have closely monitored his progress at Boro and were hugely impressed with his displays last term and early this season, rewarding the midfielder with his first Under-21s call-up for the Three Lions.

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Hackney started and played 84 minutes of the Euro qualifying success in Luxembourg, with Lee Carsley's side running out comfortable 3-0 winners.

"I think he enjoyed it," said Carrick.

"If you watched the game you could see how much he enjoyed it. I was delighted for him. He's deserved it, he's earned it. He's played like that for a long period of time now so I wasn't surprised.

"Every time he needs to take a step up he naturally steps up and his performance levels go up. I thought he did that. It was a really good afternoon for him and his family. I was delighted for him and proud to see him do so well."

Hackney will be back in Boro red this afternoon as Boro look to get their first win of the Championship season at Blackburn.