Summer Celtic target Aaron Hickey confirms he's now settled in Bologna

By David Walton

November 2, 2021

Reported summer Celtic target Aaron Hickey has stated that he’s now settled with Bologna after a troubling debut campaign in Italy.

The former Hearts starlet joined the Serie A side back in the summer of 2020. However, only months into his career with his new club did he pick up a shoulder injury that required surgery. All of a sudden, Hickey was out for the season.

Celtic reportedly looked to cash in on the uncertainty in the summer. A prolonged saga saw Bologna reportedly want as much as £6.8m for the player [Il Resto del Carlino, print edition, 06/07, page 68]. In the end, Bologna decided not to sell as manager Sinisa Mihaijlovic threw him back into the first-team.

Now, Hickey is thriving. Already with 10 appearances to his name this term, he’s back playing regularly in Serie A once more. And as we approach the January window, it’s clear Hickey isn’t interested in going anywhere as he admitted he’s now settled with Bologna.

As quoted by the Scottish Sun, the left-back said: “When I first arrived in Bologna it was a totally new thing for me. As it was lockdown, it was a wee bit difficult. But it’s been a good while now and I’m settled. I’ve learned a lot in many ways, on and off the pitch. When I was injured I was focused on getting back in the team and trying to do the best I could. My aim for the season was to get in the team and get goals. So far I’ve done that, which is good.

“The game here is more tactical and I think I prefer that. It’s also quite defensive and I’m enjoying it. If you switch off for a second you’re gone.

“My parents text me every day to see how I’m doing. My mum actually came over last week and is really enjoying herself. I’ve just got a new house and my mum is helping me with that. Sometimes I’ll go to Florence with the boys from the team. We’ve been to Milan as well. Bologna is really nice. I feel really settled here.”

Aaron Hickey to Celtic hardly looks imminent as Bologna career kickstarts

Fair play to Hickey. He had a troubling time last season in what was the most difficult of situations. Not only did he pick up the injury as a youngster living abroad for the first time, but he also had to deal with the Covid situation.

It’s incredible to see how much he’s thriving in front of capacity crowds in Serie A however. It’s a massive credit to his character, and he all of a sudden looks next to undroppable.

Bologna have the player tied down for the long-term. It’s quite clear there’s no interest from their side in selling. The only aspect that could’ve weighed in our favour was the player’s potential urge to come home. But it doesn’t look as if homesickness is a problem as Hickey begins to really flourish.

He’ll know himself that the next step up from Bologna could be a meteoric one. If he makes his time there work, goodness knows where he’ll end up. But the sky really is the limit now that he’s bounced back strongly and is making an impression again.

Celtic, meanwhile, have a host of left-back options at the club just now. With the Hoops having invested in Liam Scales and Josip Juranovic, it’s unlikely any further move for Hickey will occur.

At least not in the short-term.

In other news, Armstrong Okoflex going from strength to strength since swapping Celtic for West Ham