Serie A starlet confirms Celtic talks in summer

AARON HICKEY has confirmed that there were talks with the Scottish Champions in the summer. The 18-year-old who joined Bologna in Serie A was hot property in the summer with Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Celtic all reportedly chasing his signature.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Hickey denied interest from Man City but confirmed that there had been interest from Celtic and Bayern Munich.

“Bayern are a great club, but Bologna is massive, they are of a high level, I’m sure I have chosen a big club.

“The thing that most convinced me, when I came here to visit some time ago, is the family atmosphere I felt immediately. I immediately felt a good feeling.

“Did Manchester City also look for me? I would say no. Celtic? Yes.”

Hickey made 33 appearances for Hearts last season and was one of their bright sparks in a dull season. Whilst his former teammates compete Championship, Hickey has been playing his football in the Italian top tier next season. Celtic instead opted to sign Diego Laxalt on loan from AC Milan, who probably represents an upgrade on Hickey, who would have likely played second fiddle to Greg Taylor.

The £1.8m paid by Bologna resulted in a £540k sell-on fee being received by Celtic as he was a product of the Lennoxtown youth system. It is a good fee for the player that came through at Celtic before joining Hearts aged 14 and the club are reaping the rewards of putting a bumper clause into the deal to take him to the Tynecastle club. Celtic can now look to reinvest the money in either a new target, wages or propping up the youth sides at the club.

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Born just as Celtic were stopping the Ten, Lubo98 follows Celtic home and away and helps run his local Celtic Supporters Club. He goes to all the games and is a Law Graduate. Has a particular fondness for Tom Rogic among the current Celts and both Lubo and Henrik form his earliest Celtic memories.

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