‘I feel a lot stronger mentally’ – Hickey on Scotland return

Denmark vs. Scotland: World Cup qualifying

Date: Friday, September 5th, 2019 Kick-off: 19:45 BST

At age 23, Aaron Hickey has already put a lot of effort into his football career.

A £14 million transfer to Brentford and a Scottish Cup final with Heart of Midlothian at the age of 16 and a move to Italy with Bologna, where he became the first Scot to score in Serie A since Graeme Souness in 1980.

Then came a protracted, occasionally lonely pause. Almost two years since its last use.

After two separate operations were required after a recurring hamstring injury, recovery has been a painful journey.

The thought of putting on a Scotland jersey once more helped him on that agonizing recovery to full fitness.

According to Hickey, “I had to go through a lot,” he told BBC Scotland. “Workouting every day is not easy at all.”

Working hard is what all this work is all about, working away, and trying to keep myself upbeat so I can get a call-up for Scotland once more.

Before Hickey’s 90-minute international debut, Hickey makes his national debut.

Although he has made it clear that his time on the pitch will be carefully managed for the opening World Cup qualifying double-header against Denmark and Belarus, Scotland head coach Steve Clarke is delighted to welcome back the versatile defender.

Hickey said, “It gives me a lot of confidence that the manager wants me back in the team as soon as possible.”

He has assisted me in my rehab. He stayed in touch with me and constantly gave me the motivation to re-join the squad.

You see the same people every day at the club. It’s nice to have a manager or player from the national team check you out, especially the manager. That motivated me.

“It’s amazing to be involved once more, regardless of whether I play or not.”

I’m prepared, I think. I’ve played a lot of games, had a lot of pre-season games, and got my first cup start. I think my mental capacity is significantly improved.

When Scotland won their first five games, Hickey excelled in the successful Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

Can Scotland hope to finally win a World Cup spot with the likes of Serie A’s most valuable player, Scott McTominay, and former schoolmate Ben Doak, both of whom recently moved to Bournemouth from a multi-million dollar move?

You must have self-assurance, Hickey remarked. It’s just about believing in the team, the other players know, “I’m pretty sure all of them.”

The fans who support us a lot in every game go along with that.

“We have a lot of good people,” he said. Simply put, we must all unite and put forth good deeds.

It would not just be a case of ending a 28-year exile from the world’s greatest show for Hickey and the rest of the squad. In the summer of 2026, he is very clear about what it would entail for him to travel to the Americas.

He said, “It’s everything I’ve worked for.” Everyone’s dream to compete in a World Cup is, I assure you, “absolutely.” It would be my most gratifying accomplishment.

Given that one of his weak points was missing out on the German Euro finals last year, it would be extra-sweet.

He explained that as I approached returning, I encountered yet another issue. For me, that was gutting.