Aaron Hickey has a big decision to make - and his Hearts exit is getting closer

The teenager is one of the most in-demand youngsters in the UK

When Hearts get their season under way at the beginning of October with a Betfred Cup group stage match, there is every likelihood they will do so with Ben Garuccio or Aidy White at left-back. It would take a brave person to put some sort of stake on Aaron Hickey still being at the club in two months’ time.

Over the weekend, the 18-year-old was once again linked with clubs in England and in Europe. It is now getting to the point where it is perhaps easier to list those clubs who haven’t been credited with an interest in the player than those that have.

Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Sheffield Wednesday, Lazio, AC Milan, Celtic and Bologna. An exciting and eclectic mix for the player to consider.

Aaron Hickey is interesting clubs around Europe. Picture: SNS

What happens next will likely be a pivotal moment in the player’s career. Hickey has already established himself as a first-team footballer having only celebrated turning 18 last month. It is important the next step won’t stunt his development, which has bordered on stratospheric, ever since his debut as a 16-year-old, coming off the bench against Aberdeen in May 2019. It was followed by a starting role at Celtic Park where he had been as a youngster before delivering that performance in the Scottish Cup final.

Despite the 2-1 defeat for Hearts, there can be a strong argument that the defender was worthy of the man of the match award, such was the nature of his display - mature, composed and even dominant up against James Forrest which came into the match with 17 goals and even more assists for the season. You had to constantly remind yourself that Hickey was just 16 at the time.

Coming through testing times

Despite the presence of two more senior left-backs in the squad, it was completely understandable and correct, he held on to his place for what proved to be a trying season. One which saw the player emerge as one of very, very few who earned pass marks.

The 18-year-old was one of few positives for Hearts last season. Picture: SNS

Hickey had to deal with difficult moments on the field, plus the negativity which enveloped the team due to their struggles at the bottom of the table. It was a key learning point at the nascent period of his career. On top of that, he was fielded in a variety of roles - left-back, right-back, wing-back, centre-back. Very rarely did he look out of place.

There is an argument that he has already outgrown Hearts, simply due to their status as a second-tier club following the confirmation of the Scottish FA arbitration panel.

A intense and serious discussion will have to take place, if it has not already, between Hickey, his family and the player’s representatives, mapping out the pros and cons of various possibilities, trying to put a road map together for the player to eke out every morsel of talent with the possibility following in the footsteps of Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney to become the next Scottish left-back to reach the very top.

It should start by considering what staying at Tynecastle means. He would play under his third permanent manager at Hearts.

Robbie Neilson said: "Aaron is going to be a huge asset to the football club and it's important that no matter what division we're in, we have to keep our best players and Aaron is definitely in that category.”

At Hearts, he would play every single week. But after proving himself at Premiership-level, it would be easy to understand if the Championship facing part-time teams and having to wait until October doesn't appeal.

A move to the likes of Chelsea or Manchester City could involve a loan back to Hearts for the season. Although Billy Gilmour is an example to follow of impressing for the club's development sides and being promoted to the first-team.

European options

German football is one of the most enticing locations for young players from the UK, offering a better pathway into the first-team. Liam Morrison departed Celtic to join Bayern Munich and he has already progressed from the club's U17 side to the U19s. Any chance of Hickey getting minutes for the senior team is unlikely when you consider the players amongst the ranks of the Bavarian giants who can play left-back. Nine-time Bundesliga winner David Alaba, Alphonso Davies, considered one of the best teenagers in the world, and the World Cup-winning Lucas Hernandez.

Serie A may be a more interesting proposition for Hickey and one which presents a better chance of continuing his development as a first-team player. The cliches and stereotypes of Italian football no longer persist quite so strongly. The league is a melting pot of styles and there is a better opportunity for young players.

Options in the UK would also present Hickey with the possibility of regular football, including Celtic who could be in the market for a left-back before the transfer window closes.

It is hard to envisage the player being contracted to Hearts permanently come the end of the season. Such is the competition for the player, clubs will know they would take a risk waiting to try and sign him on a free contract, but also he represents value for money even if a transfer battle could push up the price.

For the Tynecastle club they will be kicking themselves that they allowed Hickey's contract to get to such a stage, costing them a significant sum, but they will also know they can still earn seven-figures at a time where revenues are down.

For the player, he will just want to play. Whether it is to an elite club and a subsequent loan deal, or to a more middling club as a stepping stone on his pathway. After establishing himself as a first-team football, playing reserve or development football could be seen as a backwards, or at most sideways step.