Doug Ward

Thu 6 January 2022 8:40, UK

Sky Sports journalist Andrew Dickson has mooted the possibility of Rangers joining Aston Villa in pursuit of Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey.

According to Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett, Steven Gerrard was impressed by Hickey’s performances against the Gers while he was at Hearts and Aston Villa have now made an approach to sign the 19-year-old.

Dickson feels that if Hickey appeared on Gerrard’s radar in his spell in charge of Rangers that the Bologna ace may have been discussed by Ross Wilson at Ibrox.

“Intrigued to see if Villa’s interest in Aaron Hickey means there’s any move from Rangers for him in this window, particularly with [Borna] Barisic’s future a little uncertain,” Dickson said on Twitter on Thursday morning.

“Surely a player Gerrard and Ross Wilson have discussed previously if he’s looking to take him to his new club.”

Sensational young talent

Hickey is someone that everyone at Ibrox should want to sign.

However, we have to realise that playing in the Premier League for Aston Villa may be more of a lure for Hickey, who’s already experienced the Scottish Premiership.

Gerrard quit us to join Villa so you’d have to imagine that Hickey would see that as a better move for himself.

However, that doesn’t mean that Rangers shouldn’t ask the question for Hickey, who’s one of the brightest young talents not only in Scotland, but in Europe too.

He’s clearly making a mark in Italy.

In 19 Serie A appearances this season, he’s scored four goals for Bologna in an attacking wing-back role on the left. He’s even scored against Lazio this term.

Hickey’s performances have led to Spanish news outlet Marca naming him in a line-up of young players who are “set to explode in 2022”.

Other wonderkids like Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni and PSV’s Noni Madueke also made the list so Hickey’s in very good company.

We’d love to take Hickey but have to admit it’ll be difficult.

In other Rangers news, David Edgar has shared a major Xavi Simons transfer update.