Danny Hylton says he couldn’t have anticipated the pace of Luton’s progression when he joined the club in 2016, but says he’s ”indebted” to Nathan Jones because everything his boss said has come true.
The striker was signed in 2016 and the manager has credited that move as being the “catalyst” for Town’s rise from League Two to the Championship.
Hylton has bagged two goals in two league games, the last of which, against Derby, fired the Hatters into the play-off places.
Luton slipped out of the top six last night, but Nottingham Forest’s late equaliser against Sheffield United means the Blades only leapfrogged them on goal difference.
A victory at Middlesbrough today will see Town put some daylight between them and the former Premier League side and really ignite hopes of a promotion push.
Asked if, six years ago when Hylton signed from Oxford, he could have predicted Luton would’ve been in the position they are, he said: “Honestly, probably not as quickly. Everything he (Jones) says happened. Some people say things and it doesn’t happen, but everything he says has happened.
“We’ve done wonderful things in the past few years and he’s the biggest reason that’s happened.
“Players love him, give everything for him and run through brick walls for him, because he loves everyone the same. Whether you’re in the team, out of the team, injured or whatever your situation is, he treats you as a good human being.
“We’ll continue to give our all and let’s see where we can keep progressing to.”
Jones always retells the story of how, back in the League Two days, he told Hylton that he was a Championship striker when he signed the hitman.
The 33-year-old admitted of Jones: “He’s always said it. When you meet him, you’re sold. He’s brilliant and he knows everything, he’s so diligent. He knew stuff about me that I didn’t even know about myself.
“He’s always said it and he’s always said that if I stick with him he’ll improve me as a player. We’ve not had many players that have come here and gone backwards.
“Everyone, even if they’ve had a good time or a bad time, they’ve always improved and progressed and, as a player, I feel like he’s done that with me.
“He’s given me a belief and a confidence that I’ve never had before. I’m not saying I am, but he’s got me to the level that he said I would and I’m enjoying it.
“I’m forever indebted to him and he’s been fantastic for me, personally. Long may that continue.”
