Scotland star ends 636-day exile and reveals why relationship with ex-Hearts ace can benefit Steve Clarke
The Scotland international has completed his return to senior first team football after a injury-enforced absence.
Scotland defender Aaron Hickey has made his return to senior first team football after a 636-days absence, playing 45 minutes of Brentford’s 1-1 pre-season draw with Gil Vicente in Portugal at the weekend.
The former Hearts full-back has endured an injury-plagued last 20 months, with the £17million signing out of action since picking up a debilitating hamstring injury during the Bees’ 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge all the way back in October 2023.
Expected to miss just months with the problem, he was forced to undergo further surgery in order fully repair his hamstring tendon in August 2024. Ruled out of Scotland’s squad for the European Championships in Germany last summer, he hasn’t featured for the national team since the memorable 2-0 qualifying win over Spain at Hampden Park close to two years ago.
However, the 23-year-old’s injury hell now looks to be coming to a timely end, with the defender getting his first senior minutes of Brentford’s pre-season at the weekend.
“It's been very difficult,” Hickey told Brentford’s official social media channel. “Thankfully now I am here back playing with the boys, you can't beat it. It's one of the best feelings. I feel like just getting stuck right back into it is part of my game, like I said, I’m just looking forward to started again. It feels amazing to be back out there with the boys. I've had a good few sessions over here [Portugal], getting fit and stuff, so just looking forward to starting the season.”
Set to play under a new manager this season, Hickey says he is excited to work under new Brentford head coach Keith Andrews, who was appointed at the Gtech Community Stadium earlier this month following the departure of Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur.
“I have found it really enjoyable,” said Hickey. “The sessions have been good. The intensity is slowing getting back into it. This has helped us today, match minutes. The coaches have came in, Keith [Andrews] is doing a good job keeping the boys on their toes, and not slacking off. Continuing to do what we did.”
Hickey also detailed the ‘close’ relationship he shares with former Hearts midfielder Neil MacFarlane, who has been promoted to the role of assistant first team coach after six seasons in charge of the London club’s B team.
The 47-year-old, who combines his role at Brentford with being the head coach of Scotland’s under-19s, played over 70 league games at Tynecastle during the mid-2000s, and the Hickey revealed why MacFarlane will be key in getting him back to his best ahead of September’s World Cup qualifiers against Denmark and Belarus in early September.
“I'm close with Neil,” said Hickey. “He's a really good coach. He's really good for me, we have good one-to-one chats. He's definitely going to help me. For me, being back playing with this squad, doing well, winning matches - that's my aim, and hopefully I score a few goals.”
Brentford face pre-season games against Queens Park Rangers and Borussia Mönchengladbach, before getting their league season underway against Nottingham Forest on August 17.
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