Hearts manager Robbie Neilson has revealed that the club is still waiting on confirmation of Celtic-linked Aaron Hickey’s departure.
The Scottish Sun reported over the weekend that Hickey was set to jet out to do a deal with Italian side Bologna. Meanwhile, the Herald believes that any potential move to Bayern Munich is now dead.
Celtic were still being linked with a move for the youngster as recently as yesterday (Glasgow Times). Yet, with no reported offer having been sent to Tynecastle from Parkhead, it appears any move is getting further and further away.
Neilson, however, is yet to hear an update as of yet. Speaking to Sky Sports, the Jambos boss expects something more definitive within the next few days.
“We’re still waiting to see what happens. We had an offer come in that we knocked back and we’re waiting to see where it goes. It’s been a long, drawn out process but we’re hopefully getting to the end of it now. But until it’s done, he’s still a Hearts player.
“From a personal perspective, as a manager, I would like him to be here because he has great quality, but I think things will be moving in the next few days. We’ll see where it goes in the next two or three days.
“From Aaron’s perspective – and I’ve had this conversation with him – it’s important he continues to go and play first-team football.”
No movement on Celtic’s left-back search as Hickey saga drags out
Many of us would’ve expected Hickey’s move to Italy to have been completed by now.
Neilson, perhaps intriguingly, has stated that the latest update was in the form of an offer that had been turned down. That would suggest negotiations for the player are still taking place.
But if there is any sort of interest in this from Celtic’s perspective, the club should’ve moved well before now if they wanted to bag the Hearts man. It seems he’ll be off to Bologna at this rate, and there isn’t a lot of opposition to that transfer by the looks of things.
Meanwhile, left-back should remain a priority position for Neil Lennon to strengthen in. With Greg Taylor still our first-choice as things stand, the Hoops still haven’t replaced Jonny Hayes, whilst Boli Bolingoli’s time at the club could be numbered.
A new addition in that area is essential, and not a squad player either. Hickey doesn’t quite fit that bill as he would fit into the latter, and that’s why this deal would be no great loss.
But regardless, you can’t deny this is starting to drag out a tad.
In other news, a Serie A star’s agent has come out and cleared up his transfer situation after being linked to Celtic.
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