Scotland star’s Euros dream is ‘touch and go’

STEVEN PRESSLEY fears Aaron Hickey’s dreams of a Scotland shirt at this summer’s Euros hang in the balance.

The 14-cap Brentford ace is well established in Steve Clarke’s team.

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But the 21-year-old is still recovering from an op on a hamstring tear.

Pressley, now head of development at the Bees, said: “Hickey has been really unfortunate with this injury.

“He’s an outstanding player, and it has come at such an inconvenient time for both club and country.

“It’s so disappointing and it’s going to be touch and go whether he makes the Euros or not.💬

“It’s not a case of ruling Aaron out — he might yet make it.

“And the club are supporting him all they can. The medical team at Brentford can’t do any more than they are doing.

“Hickey has matured greatly as a player and his last few performances for Scotland have been outstanding.

“The thing is, you think when you’re young there will be another chance coming — but that’s not always the case.

“Hopefully he can still make it back fit in time for Germany.”

Another regular Pressley would love to see fit and firing on all cylinders at the Euros is Norwich stalwart Grant Hanley.

The 48-cap centre-back pulled out of the squad for upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland, as he continues to recover from nine months out with a ruptured Achilles.

Elvis added: “I can relate a lot to Hanley. He’s an organiser and a leader.

“For me, great centre-backs need to be defenders and leaders, first and foremost.

“He does the basics so well and he has such a brilliant personality.

“Hanley really brings leadership to the squad and he’s one you can build a team around.

“He’s also very underestimated. I remember speaking to Eric Black about Grant when he was coming through at Blackburn.

“He raved about him as a player and a person, and he’s gone on to have a very solid career in England.”

One centre- back who has battled his way back to fitness to feature again in Clarke’s plans is Rangers defender John Souttar.

Pressley said: “Souttar has had such a difficult journey to get to where he has now.

“He’s matured a lot as a player and he has so many different strings to his bow.

“To come back from all the injuries he has had says an awful lot about his character.

“In tournament football, when you’re away for long periods together as a group, he has that drive and determination to help a squad be successful.”

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