AIDAN MORRIS is hoping his blossoming midfield partnership with Hayden Hackney will help both players improve their game.

Morris has slipped seamlessly into life as a Middlesbrough player following his summer move from American MLS side Columbus Crew.

The 22-year-old was handed an immediate opportunity to establish himself in Michael Carrick’s first team when Jonny Howson was ruled out through injury early in the season, and has responded with a series of impressive central-midfield displays.

Morris has started all bar one of Boro’s Championship matches this season, and all eight of his eight appearances in the starting side have seen him playing alongside Hackney, who is seven months his junior.

The pair have struck up an instant rapport, both on and off the pitch, and Morris is hoping their relationship will prove mutually beneficial as they attempt to maintain their current rates of progress.

“It’s been cool playing with him (Hackney) so far,” said Morris, who is currently on international duty with Mauricio Pochettino’s USA side for friendlies against Panama and Mexico. “Every good thing takes time.

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“I’m trusting the process of going through video with each other and things like that to learn every day. For sure, (the partnership with Hackney is developing).

“The more you play with someone, the more you build the relationship you have. He’s a great kid off the field and I’m getting on with him really well.

“I’m excited for this year for both of us. The aim is to continue to push each other to grow and become better versions of ourselves, on and off the field.”

Despite their youth, both Morris and Hackney boast a high degree of experience. Morris was a regular with Columbus Crew in the MLS prior to moving to England, racking up more than 100 senior appearances for the US side, while Hackney made his 77th senior Boro appearance when he started last weekend’s defeat at Watford.

Morris has been keen to tap into Hackney’s experience of the Championship as he continues to learn about the English game, with Howson’s impending return to full fitness set to add another element to Boro’s midfield mix.

“He’s (Hackney) really talented,” said Morris. “I like that we’re both still really young. Obviously, he’s been here a lot longer than I have, but I like that we can help each other grow and be better versions of each other every day.”