The 24-year-old joined David Moyes’ side from boyhood club Middlesbrough for a reported £16.5 million earlier in the summer.
Hackney played just once during Everton’s pre-season but was handed a start in their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on Saturday (August 22).
Everton secured what turned out to be a comfortable win over Palace thanks to goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry.
Speaking to Match of the Day after the game, Hackney was ‘delighted’ with the win and outlined Everton’s European ambitions.
"I'm delighted with the way that went, first half we were a bit open but then we managed to put our chances away,” he said.
"We knew they (Palace) wanted to play out, we worked on pressing form the front and managed to get a goal from it."
On Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's goal: "He does that in training a lot, that's what he's got, that quality in the final third, great finish from him."
On Everton's aims this season: "Finish as high a possible, in the European spots hopefully, it's a long season and it will be difficult but I think that's the aim."