FANTASY FOOTBALL

FOR almost two years the American Dream appeared to be just that for Aaron Hickey - a fantasy.FOR almost two years the American Dream appeared to be just that for Aaron Hickey - a fantasy.

- Fraser Wilson

Unable to kick a ball due to a chronic hamstring injury, the fullback had to watch on TV as Scotland took to the main stage at Euro 2024 last summer knowing he'd played an integral part in getting them there.

That was bad enough. But just two months after Steve Clarke and his players returned from Germany and set their focus on the World Cup, Hickey suffered a monster setback.

His hamstring went again as he stepped up his rehab. Further surgery was required. Another season was consigned to the bin.

In total, 22 months were spent without a competitive ball being kicked, for a player whose third professional game as a 16-year-old was a Scottish Cup Final for Hearts against Celtic. He could have been forgiven for thinking the footballing Gods were against him.

But the former Hearts and Bologna star refused to allow self-pity to derail him further. Instead, the Brentford star found the will to stay positive.