JONNY Howson had a bit of bad news for his son after Middlesbrough's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win over Chelsea - he was unable to get Raheem Sterling's shirt, as requested.

"I did ask him but somebody had already got it," laughed Boro's skipper afterwards.

"Nobody asked for mine so I'll see if he wants that."

Howson will have soon been forgiven on the drive home from the Riverside with his son and daughter, for just a few days earlier he'd managed to get Ollie Watkins' shirt after the FA Cup tie against Aston Villa.

And in any case, Tuesday night at the Riverside wasn't about those in blue.

Howson is 35. Watch him play and you wouldn't believe he was approaching the end of his career but that's the reality. And that is why Boro's captain has learnt to truly cherish moments like the brilliant first leg victory over Mauricio Pochettino's Premier League side. Especially now his son and daughter are old enough to savour those special moments with him.

"Now I am a bit older I am better at making myself enjoy the moment, " said Howson after Tuesday's game.

"Like with anything in life, you get older and you appreciate things more and take it in a bit more. I've probably mentioned this a few times but for me on a personal note two of my kids were here tonight.

"They understand football and know all about a team like Chelsea. It will be more that I enjoy it with them. I'll enjoy going home in the car tonight with my lad and my daughter asking me questions, they'll be pleased, they'll appreciate it. And I probably live it more through their eyes now.

"Let's be honest, kids are very honest. They tell it how it is. They wanted to come and watch Chelsea and Aston Villa. After the Aston Villa game I was fortunate enough to get Watkins' shirt for my lad and he was over the moon, I could see how much that meant to him.

"Him coming to the game tonight, he was excited, he was looking forward to it because it's a semi-final and also the team we're coming up against.

"I still enjoy it for myself but my kids are my biggest motivation, to keep playing as long as possible to keep making memories for them. They can take it in with me.

"For your kids, you want to give them the world. I know I'm in a very fortunate position to create memories like this. It was a bit of fun but even when I scored against Southampton I did the (Fortnite) celebration, we still have a laugh and a joke about that.

"It's not football memories, it's life memories we'll look back on and discuss. That's what we all want from life isn't it, memories to look back on."

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Howson has had an outstanding career but the highlight might be in the future rather than the past. This is the first time the former Leeds United and Norwich City midfielder has been involved in a domestic cup semi-final. After Tuesday's success, a first appearance at a Wembley final is very much a possibility.

He knows Boro are still up against it ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge, but says: "It's going to be extremely difficult but strange things happen in football. Memories are there to be made. Why not? We'll need to put in another performance like this one.

"This is football. At times anything can happen. People can have off days and upsets are there to be made. I've had them for me and against me in my career. The manager spoke about that. And for some of our younger lads, they want to be looking at these games and competing against these teams and testing themselves because, let's be honest, that's where they want to get to, they want to play at the top level and against or for the top teams."

One player who looks destined to do that is Hayden Hackney, Boro's first leg matchwinner. The 21-year-old has been a revelation since his breakthrough at the end of 2022. He's now an England Under-21 international and is unsurprisingly on the radar of several Premier League clubs.

Howson said: "I honestly think he can go on to achieve anything.

"The biggest thing I've found with him; look, his ability is there for us all to see, I don't need to mention that. But since he's come into the first team, off the pitch he hasn't changed one bit. He takes everything in his stride, nothing seems to faze him. If it does, he doesn't show it. He's a great lad to work with day in, day out. He can go on to become anything he wants.

"With regards to myself, I've played with the likes of Fabian Delph. They're different types of players but careers can take off if they keep performing consistently. Hopefully he wins promotion with Middlesbrough.

"The way he's performing - and he proved again - think about who he was up against for Chelsea, he matched them and showed he can play at that level."

Hackney was made captain of his hometown club for the game against Villa at the weekend but after he was rested in the FA Cup Howson had the armband back against Chelsea.

"If he wants it, he can have it," laughed Howson of Hackney.

"He can do whatever he wants!"