The Hoops have been linked with Aaron Hickey recently after he has emerged as a starter at Tynecastle Park. But Hearts’ asking price for the left-back has been a stumbling block in any deal taking place. According to The Sun, Celtic do not want to pay the £1.5-million that the 17-year-old is rated at by his club.
This has opened the door for Premier League clubs to potentially swoop in and steal Hickey from under the Hoops’ noses. According to The Sun, Crystal Palace are ready to pay the money that Hearts are demanding for the Scot and as a result, he could be on his way to Selhurst Park before the end of the month.
Celtic though cannot afford to let this opportunity go. Neither Bolingoli nor Greg Taylor have been very convincing at left-back this season and the position remains an area of weakness that oppositions can exploit.
£1.5-million is not a huge amount in today’s market. And Hickey might very well turn out to be one of his generation’s top players. At just 17 years of age, he has established himself as a starter at a Premiership side. That is rare for someone his age and Celtic should take a gamble on the youngster. The fact that he came through the Hoops’ youth ranks and the club will receive 30% of any transfer fee that Hearts receive for him means that they will not have to pay full price either.
