Forza Italian Football editor Conor Clancy has urged Aaron Hickey to snub a potential return to Celtic in favour of remaining with Bologna.
Hickey, who enjoyed time in the Scottish giants’ academy, left his homeland for Italy when he joined Bologna from Hearts last September.
A string of injuries, as well as contracting coronavirus, resulted in the Glasgow-born left-back being made to settle for just 12 appearances during his first season overseas.
Should Aaron Hickey return to Celtic?
Yes
No
New Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou, whose reign has got off to a nightmare start after the Bhoys were knocked out of the Champions League at the second qualifying stage for a second consecutive year, is keen to welcome 19-year-old Hickey to Parkhead but Bologna have turned down an opening bid of £3.5million.
Postecoglou has added plenty of youth to his options this summer, with 19-year-old Liel Abada joining from Maccabi Petah Tikva and Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide, both 20, making the move from Sheffield Wednesday.
But Clancy feels Hickey would be better off staying in Serie A.
He told TIF: “If I were Hickey, I’d love to stay at Bologna for another year and just try to really prove myself in Italy. I think he would probably improve more as a player in Serie A than he would playing in Scotland.
“Hickey is an exciting player. He still has a long way to come but I like him.”