Boro in 'win-win' situation over Hackney - Edwards

Hayden Hackney was part of England Under-21's European Championship-winning squad this summer

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards says the club is in a "win-win" situation over the future of Hayden Hackney.

Boro have accepted an offer from Ipswich Town - believed to be around £20m- for the England Under-21 midfielder.

Hayden has come through the ranks at the Riverside and made over 100 appearances for the club, yet Edwards is open-minded as to how things will pan out with the 23-year-old.

"The ball is in H's court," Edwards told BBC Radio Tees. "That's where we stand.

"It's a win-win and people can be calm about the whole situation.

"If H is here, then he's a brilliant player, which is great. If he's not, then there will be funds available."

Edwards discussed the situation with Hackney as part of an extended interview with BBC Radio Tees ahead of his debut season in charge of Middlesbrough.

He arrived in June as the replacement for Michael Carrick, who left after their 10th-place finish in the Championship last season.

The former Luton Town boss talked about the connection he wants to build with the fans on Teesside and his early impressions a month into the role.

"It's a huge football club, a proper football club, this," said the 42-year-old. "I'm so lucky. I go into my office at the training ground and think 'wow' as we don't want for anything.

"I look at the stadium and think I am so lucky and privileged to be here and some brilliant players and amazing staff.

"With all of those things, I was just desperate to try and land this job and I feel the luckiest man in the world to be representing Middlesbrough Football Club.

"I hope to make everyone proud and I'll certainly do my best."

Edwards has been very busy in the five weeks he has been in the role, but is keen to make a connection with everyone on Teesside.

He admitted he failed to do that in his first job at Telford United and has endeavoured not to make the same mistake everywhere he has been subsequently.

It has brought him promotions with Forest Green Rovers and Luton and while not promising that with his new club, there are traits he wants to instill.

"We've got to make the supporters believe again," he said.

"If we're all driving this thing together, it helps, but I know this is on us. We need to show a level of performance and win enough games to get their backing.

"I want us to be aggressive, attack quickly, have a right go, leave it all out there.

"That is the message we are getting across to the lads every day. But that's all I've ever wanted from any of my teams."

Friendly following gets Edwards dreaming

Edwards is yet to lead Boro in a competitive fixture as he awaits start of their Championship campaign at home to Swansea City on 9 August, but was given a glimpse of what could happen if he can spark something on the pitch.

That came last Saturday in a friendly with Scottish giants Rangers at Ibrox as Boro drew 2-2 with almost 8,000 fans travelling up to back their side in Glasgow.

"I was blown away on Saturday by the supporters," Edwards said. "Not surprised, just blown away.

"I was a little bit choked up, looking at nearly 8,000 of them, who made that long journey up there.

"Obviously it was against a big club in a nice stadium, but it was amazing. That will live with me for a long time.

"I dream like the best of them and I imagine how exciting this place could be and some of the things we could achieve.

"I'd love everyone to dream and think about that stuff and let's try and make it happen."