Aaron Hickey has made his Scotland comeback after nearly two years out. The Brentford defender battled a recurring hamstring injury that required two surgeries. Now, at 23, Hickey returns stronger and determined to help Scotland qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
A Scottish Cup final with Hearts at just 16, a Serie A move to Bologna, and then a £14m switch to Brentford highlighted Hickey’s rapid rise. But his journey stalled with long, painful rehab sessions. “I had to go through a lot, to be honest,” Hickey told BBC Scotland. “Every day in the gym is not easy at all. Working away, having to keep myself positive, to earn a call-up for Scotland again, that’s what all this hard work is for.”
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has welcomed him back but will manage his minutes in the qualifiers against Denmark and Belarus.
“It gives me a lot of confidence that the manager wants me back in the team as soon as possible,” Hickey said. “He’s been good for me during my rehab. He stayed in touch and was always giving me motivation to get back in the squad.”
Hickey admitted the support kept him focused. “At the club, you see the same people every day. It’s good that someone from the national team, especially the manager, checks up on you. That spurred me on.”
The versatile defender is ready to play again. “I feel ready. I’ve had a full pre-season, played in games, got my first start in the cup. I feel like I’m a lot stronger mentally. You see things differently when you’ve been out for a long time. You don’t take anything for granted. My head’s in a good place.”
Hickey’s World Cup Dream
Hickey starred in Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign and believes the squad can finally reach a World Cup. “You’ve got to believe in yourself,” he said. “I’m pretty sure all the other players know that we can do it – it’s just about believing in the team.”
The Brentford star knows what it would mean. “It’s everything that I’ve worked for. I’m pretty sure it’s everyone’s dream to play in a World Cup. It would be the proudest moment of my career.”
Missing Euro 2024 was one of Hickey’s lowest points. “I was close to coming back and then I had another problem. That was gutting for me. But you need to have lows to have highs. This has been one of my lows, with the injury – now I’m aiming for some highs. Qualifying for the World Cup, playing for Scotland, playing for Brentford. Just to be back playing.”
With Hickey’s return, Scotland gain both defensive strength and renewed hope on their path to World Cup 2026.
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