Back in the summer of 2014, Aaron Hickey had only just turned 12 years old. He was a young boy with a dream of reaching the top level in football — and the World Cup only served to underline that ambition. When he was off school during the summer holidays, Hickey was glued to that summer’s tournament which took place in Brazil. It’s safe to say, it left a lasting impression. Whether it was the wondergoal scored by Colombia’s James Rodriguez in a match against Uruguay, or the 7-1 hammering dished out by Germany against Brazil in the semi-finals, Hickey watched every moment on TV. A rite of passage for any youngster during a major tournament, he also had the sticker album and would spend his days trading stickers with his pals.
Hickey will now aim to be picture perfect with Scotland over the next couple of months as they embark on the nation’s first World Cup campaign in 28 years. Reflecting on his own personal World Cup memories, the Brentford and Scotland defender said: ‘I think it was the Brazil World Cup in 2014, that one stuck with me a lot. The 7-1 Germany against Brazil game and stuff. They’re my kind of memories from the World Cup. The Rodriguez chest-and-volley as well. I can remember watching it, like having a little sticker book with my friends in the house, collecting them all, watching the games. It's a bit surreal. It'll feel more when I’m actually on the plane. I think that for me will be a big one, on the plane going to America. Crazy. It felt amazing to be named in the squad this week. It was one of the best feelings to see it in the black and white, with your name up there. It’s the stuff of dreams and, yeah, I was one of the happiest boys when I seen it. All my family and mates were calling and texting me to say congrats. It’s massive. It's the biggest thing in my career to play in a World Cup for Scotland. It's amazing. It’s stuff you dream of.’
Hickey has been plagued by injury over recent years but he now feels like he is fully fit and back to his best once again. Scotland are preparing to face Curacao in their Hampden send-off next weekend, before facing another friendly against Bolivia in New Jersey once they arrive in America. When he has been available for selection, Hickey has firmly established himself as the first-choice right-back in Steve Clarke’s side. But, as is the way with a lot of modern full-backs, Hickey also revealed that he is keen to try and play more centrally when possible. Brentford boss Keith Andrews deployed him in central midfield against Manchester City a few weeks ago. Whilst it was a tough assignment, Hickey enjoyed the challenge.
‘Now that I'm back fit I was just trying not to think about the past [in terms of injuries] and just focus on the future,’ he said. ‘There's no point like thinking about it so I just try and push forward. Every day is a new day, that's the way I look at it. If I get the opportunity to play for my country, I'll do everything I can to make it happen. I played centre midfield against Man City a few weeks ago, which was interesting! But I enjoyed it. It was tough but I enjoyed it. It was my first time playing centre mid professionally, so I was looking forward to it. It was good. The manager [Andrews] said to me that he thinks that I'm suited to that position as well. He said because I can like use my two feet, that's a big attribute to have in the middle of the park so he said: “I’m going to try you out there” and yeah he put me in against City. I'm happy to play wherever, left-back, right-back, centre-mid, anywhere. As long as I'm playing, I'm just trying to get minutes in wherever the manager wants to put me that's fine.’
Heading into Sunday afternoon’s final round of fixtures in the Premier League, Hickey and Brentford still have a chance of qualifying for Europe. They need to take at least a point against Liverpool at Anfield, whilst hoping that results elsewhere fall in their favour. It will be tough, especially given the emotion that will be surging through the Anfield crowd as they bid farewell to Scotland captain Andy Robertson as well as Mo Salah. But it’s an occasion Hickey is looking forward to as Brentford look to finish with a bang in what has been an excellent season.
‘Yeah, it will be a big game,’ he said. ‘We have got Liverpool and then we need a few other things to work out [in terms of getting into Europe]. It is Robbo’s last game which will be nice. He has been massive for Scotland, to have a big player like him in the team is always nice, you look up to players like that. How well he has done, everything he has done over his career, so it is always good to have someone like that in the changing room. You can listen to them, and they can guide you as well, especially for me as he plays in the full back position. He speaks to the group, as well as individually, and tells us what we should do. Yeah, there should be a big send-off at full-time and hopefully I can stay out for that. It would be nice to see him after the game and give him a hug and after that we can focus on the World Cup.’
