The 17-year-old has also been linked with Rangers, Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Everton and Southampton in recent months but the Hoops are hoping to snap up the player on a cut-price deal following Hearts’ relegation.
Fans have had a mixed reaction to Celtic’s interest in Hickey:
Hickey would be a cracking signing if we’re able to bring him back, hes looked excellent for a boy of 17/18 in a very poor hearts team
— Chris Canney (@canney_chris) May 22, 2020
Imagine wanting Hickey but want rid of Boli
— Christian Mc (@gamboa67_mc) May 22, 2020
And Lenny doesn’t seem to like Boli anymore. Hickey would be a good addition.
CB, we’re definitely one light. And that’s before any talk of Ajer leaving. ElHamed can play there too, but still. Benkovic? Is Welsh ready to step up?
+
— Daithí Mac Mhaonaigh (@ABhoysVoice) May 22, 2020
Aaron Hickey? God sake.
— ?? (@sportingwing67) May 22, 2020
@craigjambo89 getting hickey for sweeties tae ???
— Paul Tansey (@Paul_Tansey) May 22, 2020
Why, we keep signing players and they don’t get a chance
— Sandy Matusavage (@SMatusavage) May 22, 2020
The fact we are always on the lookout for up and coming talent makes me happy . We have a good enough squad for the 10 and still building for the future !!
— callam (@callamDu90) May 22, 2020
Don’t care about Hickey but sign Olise up! If he’s a French Youth International he’s usually good ?
— Charlie (@CharlieMcQ67) May 22, 2020
It is true to manager Neil Lennon already has two senior left-backs at his disposal in Boli Bolingoli and Greg Taylor but neither has really convinced since their arrival last summer.
Bolingoli started off shakily before the Belgian began to show more consistency after the Old Firm win at Ibrox in September. However, he has barely featured for the first team in recent months.
Conversely, Taylor struggled to get a look-in in the first half of the season but began to play more regularly once Lennon switched to a 3-5-2 system. Even so, the Scottish international isn’t entirely convincing as a wingback so a move for Hickey isn’t surprising.