According to the reports from the Scottish Sun as cited by the Chronicle, Newcastle United scouts were present in attendance to monitor the progress of Hearts fullback Aaron Hickey. The scouts watched him at the weekend against Rangers where the Jambos emerged with a draw and the Bears went on drop their first points in the domestic season.
17-year-old Hickey has represented Scotland at the u-17 and u-19 level. He made his breakthrough last season when he was just 16, and he has continued with his excellent run this campaign; becoming a regular in the first team. Some of the other clubs that have been credited with an interest so far are Arsenal, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Norwich City, QPR, Rangers and Southampton. He is being valued at around £2m.
With a plethora of clubs keeping track of him, one can say that he is one of the hottest properties in Scottish football at the moment. The Jambos have him under contract until 2021, but Craig Levein revealed that they are looking to get him on a long term deal.
It remains to be seen how concrete United’s interest are in Hickey. He might not be able to make a breakthrough in the first team straight away, but the potential is definitely there which can see him become the first-choice left-back in the long term.
What can Hickey offer?
The Scottish talent is a typical modern-day attack-minded fullback. He loves to bomb forward and is versatile enough to play in various positions. He is also adept at playing at right-back or even as a wide midfielder on either of the flanks. Given the way the Magpies deploy a system where they use wing backs, Hickey will be an ideal fit into their plans.
However, he is yet not a finished article, and he might need some time to settle in the Premier League. Steve Bruce currently deploys Jetro Willems at left wing-back. He is on loan, and we think that the club should look to sign him permanently. Matt Ritchie is the other option in that position.
Hickey can be an understudy to the two, to begin with, but he can go on to make that place his own once he settles in England. The 17-year-old came up from Celtic’s academy, and the fact that so many clubs are monitoring his situation is a testament to his talent and abilities. Steve Bruce should consider signing him in the future.
