I wish all the lads were like Aaron.. he’s not driving a flash car and he doesn’t have a designer handbag
Levein: Derby hero Hickey is a breeze to manage MICHAEL GANNON
CRAIG LEVEIN reckons derby hero Aaron Hickey is a breeze to boss.
But the Jambos gaffer is working extra hard to make sure the youngster sticks around.
The 17-year-old has been a revelation since bursting in to the Tynecastle team and is already assured of a place in Gorgie folklore with his sensational winner against Hibs on Sunday.
The last-gasp victory eased some of the pressure on Levein but it also underlined why Hickey is one of the most in-demand kids in the country.
Manchester City have a strong interest and would love to nab the full-back while they can still class him as a homegrown player under English squad rules.
But Levein is confident he can cut the EPL big guns off at the pass and keep the unassuming kid a little longer.
Hickey is under contract until the end of next season and the Jambos boss said: “We are in the middle of that just now. It has been quite difficult, though.
“He doesn’t have an agent. I’ve been dealing with his dad and it has been a little bit drawn out.
“But I’m confident we’ll get there in the end.
“It’s not bothering the boy. It’s not something he’s overly concerned about.”
Levein’s hand was forced by injuries but Hickey has slotted in and become a key player at Tynecastle.
The Hearts manager admitted the defender is a scoosh to manage and he’s hoping to get the chance for some time to come.
Levein said: “He just turns up and does his work, then goes home. He’s so lowmaintenance you wouldn’t know he was in the building.
“He is the way he plays. Very calm and no bother at all.
“If they were all like him, this m.gannon@dailyrecord.co.uk job would be a doddle. He’s not a boy I really need to worry about getting carried away.
“He’s not driving about in a flash car, he doesn’t have one of these designer handbags or whatever they call it!
“It’s like any young player who’s playing. There’s always going to be interest.
“The big thing for him is he is getting game time.
“For kids his age, getting first-team football is the hardest thing to get coming through the academy. I’ve no qualms about playing them if they are good enough.
“I’m glad to get rewarded by Aaron scoring the winning goal on Sunday but he’s also helping the team, which in turn helps me.
“We’re giving him valuable experience but he’s rewarding me with his performances.
“So you could say we are getting on quite well!”
Hickey’s late heroics didn’t half ease some of the heat on the boss. Hearts fans were partying on Sunday a week on after protesting to get the gaffer out.
Levein savoured another derby success but didn’t exactly break out the champagne as he knows his side are not out of the woods yet following a wretched start to the season.
A place in the Betfred Cup last four would be another step away from the flak but Aberdeen at Tynecastle tonight could have other plans.
Either way, Levein didn’t slump into despair before the Hibs win and he refused to go overboard after it. He said: “Did I celebrate? No, our league position doesn’t allow me to celebrate.
“We have to do a lot better. It’s a start, that’s all. There’s no time for celebrating just now.
“To be fair even last week they were bubbly and Ryotaro Meshino has helped with that, he’s different and he has given the place a lift.
“I have not come in any days and felt there has been a level of feeling sorry for themselves, that hasn’t happened.
“Obviously there’s concern, we weren’t in the league position we wanted to be in
and we haven’t done anything yet to send a message to anyone that we’ve turned the corner other than get three points.
“So the game against Aberdeen and the game at the weekend now become really important.
“Beating Aberdeen is always a difficult thing to do but if we can do that, it will help.”
Defender Michael Smith, right, was thrilled to give his gaffer a break but he admitted silverware would be extra sweet this season.
He said: “The manager has been the same through the bad run. After the game, he was delighted in the changing room afterwards. He has got some record against them as a player and a coach and is always happy when we beat them.
“The cup runs are massive. We got to the semi-final of this competition and the final of the Scottish Cup last season. We want to take that a step further.”