According to the reports from the Sun, Crystal Palace are likely to outbid Celtic for the signature of Hearts’ fullback Aaron Hickey. Reports (via The Scottish Sun) in October had emerged that even Rangers were interested in the Scottish youngster. However, the Bears seem to be nowhere in the picture to sign him now that we are underway in the January transfer window.
Hickey has attracted interest from Premier League heavyweights like Manchester City and Liverpool. The 17-year-old is currently being valued at £1.5m. Crystal Palace meanwhile are looking to loan him back for the rest of the season once they sign him in January. Celtic will receive 30 percent on the profit which Hearts would make by selling Hickey as the youngster came up from the Bhoys’ academy.
We believe that Rangers should be on Hickey given his impressive rise so far this season. Rangers also lack options at left-back beyond Borna Barisic.
Why should Rangers be after a left-back?
Barisic has been a revelation this season, and he has managed to reinvent himself after an average first year at Ibrox. However, beyond him, Rangers have two makeshift fullbacks in Jon Flanagan and Andy Halliday. Flanagan is primarily a right-back and Halliday is a midfielder. Moreover, both of them are in the final few months of their deal with the club, and there is no indication that they could be given an extension.
On the other hand, Barisic is attracting interest from AS Roma. It is highly unlikely that Rangers would sanction a move for him in this window, but things could change in the summer. Hence, Rangers should be on the lookout for a left-back and Hickey seems to be a promising option.
Why can Hickey be a good pick?
The Scottish youngster is known as a versatile player as he can fill in at right-back and in midfield. Hickey shows impressive quality on the ball, and he carries the ball forward well. He might indeed need some time to play regularly for Rangers, but the signs are there that he could be a decent pick once he gains more experience.
The defender has made 25 appearances in all competitions already this season for Hearts. Hickey had come up from Celtic’s academy, and he is known as a Celtic fan. Hence, that could be one reason why transfer speculations regarding him moving to Rangers have gone down. Nevertheless, the Bears should try their luck to lure the defender to Ibrox and join Palace in the transfer race for him.
