If the latest report from Daily Mail (as cited by the Daily Record) is believed to be true, Celtic are plotting a £3m bid for Aaron Hickey. The teenager opted to join Bologna over Bayern Munich due to the hospitality and first-team opportunities, but the Scotsman might return to his homeland now as the Hoops are gearing up to start afresh under Ange Postecoglou.
The former Hearts youngster went on to feature 30 times in 2019-20 across competitions, but the Jambos’ controversial relegation forced them to sell their prized asset for a minuscule £1.5m transfer fee. The Bhoys made several previous attempts to rope in the starlet, but they were late to intensify their interest and lost the race to the Serie A side who exhibited more ambition and purpose compared to the Scottish heavyweights.
Hickey, however, featured only 12 times for the Red and Blues with a shoulder surgery cutting his minutes short. But the experience of playing abroad must have enriched the left fullback who played it coy a few weeks ago while addressing the Celtic speculations.
“Well, I am fully aware there has been interest. I can see it all but I have just got to keep my head down and keep my full focus on Bologna just now.”
The 19-year-old Scotland youth international spent four years in the Hoops’ academy ranks before rejoining Hearts where he already had a brief spell prior to the Celtic switch. The Glasgow giants received 30% of the transfer fee from Hearts when he left for Bologna, but they might finally secure the services of their boyhood fan following Diego Laxalt’s return to AC Milan. The club decided not to make the Uruguayan’s loan stint permanent after an underwhelming display and the Rossoneri, therefore, offloaded the 28-year-old to Dynamo Moscow for being surplus to the requirements.
Why Celtic Should Sign Him ASAP
Although the new boss would offer a lifeline to all the outcasts, there’s little hope left for Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo who has been snubbed by Istanbul Başakşehir. The Turkish side have bypassed the option of tying him down on permanent terms and the Bhoys, thus, need a more prolific option who could challenge and cover for Greg Taylor.
Hickey has his similarities with former Celtic star Kieran Tierney who is now enjoying his time at Arsenal. His overlapping runs, crosses, cut insides and creative spark depict all the attributes of a modern-day fullback. It is time to bring him back to Parkhead before his stakes increase further in the forthcoming future.
