Hickey’s club boss says he’s unlikely to play at Euros

Steve Clarke’s headache over his right-back options ahead of Euro 2024 has worsened considerably after Aaron Hickey’s club manager rated the player's chances of appearing at the tournament as extremely doubtful.

Although careful to point out that he was not the Scotland manager, Thomas Frank said it did not look positive when asked about Hickey prior to Brentford’s trip to face Bournemouth this weekend. The 21-yearold underwent hamstring surgery late last year and has not played for Brentford since October.

Frank ruled out the player returning to action for his club this season. “No, we are not going to see him this season,” he said. With reference to the Euros, which Scotland open against hosts Germany in less than a month's time, he added: “I’m not the manager of Scotland, but I don’t think it’s positive.”

Clarke’s first right-back alternative is Nathan Paterson but he has also injured a hamstring and was ruled out of Everton’s remaining games last month. He, too, is facing a race to be ready. As it stands, Celtic’s Anthony Ralston would appear next on Clarke’s list but he has not tasted club action since February.

Versatileformeraberdeen player Ross Mccrorie is likely to come into the Scotland manager’s thinking after establishing himself in the Bristol City team following several months out through illness at the start of this season. Max Johnston, currently at Austrian side Sturm Graz, is another who could come into the frame having already been called up by Clarke. The former Motherwell wing-back is still only 20.