Hayden Hackney was handed his first England U21 cap on Monday evening as the Three Lions began their Euro U21 qualification campaign.
The Boro midfielder, who opened his account for the season with a raucous strike against Huddersfield, recently made the international switch from Scotland to England and was included in Lee Carsley’s 23-man squad for the Luxembourg qualifier.
Deployed in midfield alongside Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott and new Chelsea signing Cole Palmer, Hackney’s assured presence helped England maintain the Lions’ share of possession, Carsley’s side boasting 69 per cent of the ball in a comfortable 3-0 display.
Goals from Liam Delap, Callum Doyle and Palmer see England sit top of Group F with Serbia the visitors for the next qualifying fixture in October.
The England team also included another Boro Academy graduate with Nathan Wood playing.
The Three Lions were crowned winners of the Under-21 Euro in July and seven of the cohort are young enough to try and defend the title in 2025.