Aaron Hickey is so calm he FELL ASLEEP on bus before cup final as ex-Hearts boss tips him to succeed at Brentford

AARON HICKEY is so calm that he FELL ASLEEP on the way to his first ever Scottish Cup Final, aged just 16.

Craig Levein, Hickey's former boss at Hearts, recalled how the new Brentford signing seemed so unfazed with the big occasion - despite the face he'd only made his competitive debut two weeks before.

1

Scotland starlet Hickey joined the Bees in an £18m switch from Serie A side Bologna on Saturday.

Looking back at when he made his breakthrough in May 2019, Levein spoke about how Hickey was perhaps the most two-footed player he had ever coached.

And he remembered sticking him in for an end-of-season league match against Celtic, in which he performed admirably and sealed a place in the starting XI for the Scottish Cup Final against the same team the following week.

Speaking to the BBC, Levein said: "The interesting thing is, Aaron's actually right footed, everyone thinks he's left footed. But he's that good with both feet.

Read more Football stories

CLOSING IN

Rangers-bound Matondo LEFT OUT of training camp ahead of Ibrox transfer talks

FOE TO FRIEND

'It was scary!' - Aaron Hickey describes facing new Brentford pal Kris Ajer

"There have not been many players that I've played with or managed who are genuinely as equally as balanced on either side.

"I gave him his debut. He played so well we played him at Celtic Park a week before the cup final. So that made up my mind about putting him into the team for the final and he was fabulous.

"He's so calm he fell asleep on the bus going to the cup final - 16 years old playing in the cup final and he fell asleep!"

Levein revealed he's fielded several calls from Premier League sides over the past 12 months as interest in Hickey grew after an impressive couple of seasons in Italy.

Most read in Football

'WOW!'

Ally McCoist leaves talkSPORT presenter speechless with cheeky dig at Celtic

JOT TO BE KIDDING

Huge update on Jota injury amid fears he could miss start of NEXT season

GER KIDDING

Rangers fans fume as club holds huge event a day after latest disappointment

ITALIAN JOB

Scott McTominay breaks 63-year Scottish record as Napoli close in on title

He has no doubt the 20-year-old will be a success at Brentford.

Levein said: "I've had phone calls from a number of Premier League clubs in the last year looking for a character reference on him. His career trajectory has just been stellar.

More from The Scottish Sun

BLOWN AWAY

Mum reveals how to blow up inflatables using a hairdryer and a drinks bottle

FASHION FIX

Four fashion tricks for curvy girls that want to hide their stomach

"I'm sure he could go to Arsenal or wherever and get more money. But I'm sure he's going to Brentford because he knows he's going to play."

Meanwhile, Ally McCoist has been spotted reminiscing with current Rangers manager Gio Van Bronckhorst over their role in a goal during a Gers legends game against AC Milan.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page