Hickey making good progress with injury - Pressley

Hickey was a regular in Steve Clarke's line-up during Euro 2024 qualifying

Aaron Hickey is "making good progress" with his injury and is determined to be fit for Euro 2024, says former Scotland defender Steven Pressley.

Hickey's recovery from a hamstring issue became even more important when his fellow right-back Nathan Patterson limped off against Chelsea on Monday.

Pressley said: "Whether it's too quick or not, he's giving it a real go."

The former Heart of Midlothian full-back has not played since October after injuring his hamstring playing for Brentford against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

But Pressley said the defender is making good progress in the gym and is focused on being in the Scotland squad for the finals in Germany this summer.

"I had a cup of coffee in the canteen with him and he said to me that he's going to give this a real go," said former centre-back Pressley.

"I said to him, 'Aaron, my advice is this; from my own career, one of the lessons I learned is that when you're a young player and opportunities like this arise, you always think there's going to be plenty more in your career'.

"Landscapes change very quickly; careers change very quickly and this might be your only opportunity to play in a major tournament'.

"Now I hope for Scotland and for Aaron Hickey it's one of many, but you just never know.

"I really hope - with recent news about Patterson as well - it would be a big plus for Scotland if he was fit because Aaron is an outstanding player.

"He really is a player I think could go on to the next levels. I think he could play at the top."