I COULDN’T REST HICKEY

arrived from Vancouver Whitecaps and Hickey can take heart from the success of young foreign recruits but crucially it’s that pathway to the first team that will give him most cause for optimism.

Bayern Munich II made history last season when they became the first reserve side to win the German third division, although league rules prevent them being promoted.

First-team boss Hans-Dieter Flick has already rewarded four members of that victorious squad – ex-Chelsea wonderkid Jamal Musiala, Chris Richards, Malik Tillman and Bright Arrey-Mbi – by promoting them to train with his charges next season.

The move follows on from rising stars Joshua Zirkzee, Sarpreet Singh and Oliver Batista-Meier all making Bundesliga appearances last term.

Oliver Burke’s failure after a muchhyped move to RB Leipzig is a cautionary tale but with ex-Celtic kid

Liam Morrison set to be joined by Hoops starlet Barry Hepburn at Bayern, that could help Hickey settle.

Former Scotland Under-21 boss and German World Cup winner Rainer Bonhof insists there is no better place for Hickey to further his football education.

The 68-year-old, vice-president of Borussia Monchengladbach, told Record Sport: “I’ve been reading in the German newspapers about Aaron Hickey’s possible move to Bayern Munich.

“If, as is being reported, he goes into the Bayern Munich II squad then that will be a big deal because there is a clear pathway from that squad to the first team.

“Bayern Munich II won the third division last season but they couldn’t move up because one club can’t have two teams in the pro leagues.

“But if you are part of that second team then you are in focus for the first team as well and in Germany as often happens, and Bayern Munich are particularly famous for that, then a couple of youngsters are promoted to train with the first team.

“We do it as well at Borussia Monchengladbach.

“Bayern Munich have a history of bringing youth players through with the likes of Markus Babbel, Mehmet Scholl, Didi Hamann, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller.

“And they have built two new facilities – one is just for the first team on Sabener Street and one for the youth and second team next to the Allianz Arena so that will be Aaron’s new home.

“You can see the stadium from where you are training so it gives you motivation.” The success of developing players from Bayern’s reserve team operating in German football’s lower leagues is just one of the reasons the Old Firm are keen for their colts to join the Scottish senior set-up. And Bonhof is adamant it can help the national team He said: “The thing for young Aaron is that even if he doesn’t make that jump at Bayern then you are still likely to be good enough to be a very good player in a top European league and making good money. “Of course, it all comes down to the individual’s mentality. “But it’s easier if you are moving to a club with such a famous name as Bayern Munich because they already have an understanding of how to develop young players.”

FORMER Stendel Hearts has boss forced admitted Daniel to he was last term overplay as they Aaron Hickey against lost their Premiership The battle German relegation. is a fan and said: of the fullback “I to have would’ve rested liked we needed Aaron but him too much.”

He claimed other clubs could have also begun if they were willing to spend money to remove players from furlough.

Levein told the BBC: “It’s another case of people thinking they can do what they like and hand out sanctions willy-nilly.

“Ian Maxwell mentioned the word fairness. Hearts were allowed to train and were doing everything that they possibly could to follow the guidance.

“I didn’t realise that a couple of teams had actually complained to the SFA that Hearts had had an unfair advantage because they were training.

“I believe it was Morton and Raith. Those teams also had the opportunity to start training two weeks ago, but they didn’t want to. What they wanted to do was keep their players on furlough because they wouldn’t spend money.

“How can this be fair? How can it be fair that they’ve stopped Hearts training when they’re doing everything correctly?”