According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Celtic have tried to re-sign Bologna defender Aaron Hickey, but the 19-year-old doesn’t want to leave the Stadio Dall’Ara.
Hickey played in Celtic’s youth sector in 2017-18, but doesn’t seem willing to return to his former club.
La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reports that the versatile defender has snubbed a move to Celtic twice and is willing to stay in Bologna. He has become a regular starter under Sinisa Mihajlovic.
The former defender is happy with Hickey’s developments and doesn’t want him to leave the club.
The Scottish full-back has featured in every Bologna game so far this season, scoring two goals in 12 appearances.
Hickey is a Heart of Midlothian’s academy product and joined Celtic in 2017.
He returned to Heart one year later before completing a permanent move to Bologna in September 2020.
He was supposed to make his Scotland U21 debut during the November break, but coach Scot Gemmill said the player felt more comfortable remaining with his club to rest and recuperate.
🏴 #Bologna, Gazzetta: "#Hickey è sondato dal Celtic. Sinisa lo prova al posto di De Silvestri"
Hickey è già stato "sondato" due volte dal #Celtic, ma l'intenzione del Bologna è di tenerselo stretto 🔴🔵#Calciomercato #Fantacalcio #SerieA https://t.co/qCQv0gYgiR
— Andrea 🔥 Consigli Fantacalcio (@ProfidiAndrea) November 12, 2021
“My job is to pick the best players. We select Aaron and then the rest is down to him. We can’t force him to come and play. It’s his decision and I completely respect it and we concentrate on preparing for the game,” the coach said as quoted by the Scotsman.
“He wants to play for Scotland. I think it’s 18 out of the 26 from the Euros squad played at under 21 level. It’s a proven pathway to playing international football and becoming a top player.
“But if Aaron feels he’s not in a position to play then we have to respect that.”