There are three certainties in life. Death, taxes and Hearts’ left-back options seemingly getting injured at every turn.
Prior to Hearts’ friendly win over Shelbourne, left-back Aaron Hickey was withdrawn from the starting XI, being replaced by Bobby Burns as the Jambos went on to win 7-0.
Hickey was withdrawn mysteriously. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
There was no reason given by the club. It’s unlikely he’d have been withdrawn from the friendly for a positive reason though, with injury or a niggle the likely cause.
It’s a worry though if these left-back issues are cropping up again.
Left-back withdrawal shows Hearts need to strengthen that area
They may have some left-back options at the club but this just shows Hearts need another left sided defender.
More options are needed. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Last season it became a problem area for the Jambos. Demetri Mitchell flopped on his Tynecastle return before picking up a serious injury that ended his season prematurely.
Marcus Godinho also missed part of last season with an existing knee injury.
Burns too suffered with injury during the 2018/19 campaign. He picked up a groin injury that season him miss two months of action, following a loan spell at Livingston.
It’s not even the fact there are injuries seemingly occurring on a regular basis to Hearts’ left-back options, it’s how serious they are. The injuries have ruled players out for months at a time for various reasons.
More left-back cover is needed. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Craig Levein should think about bringing in a left-back to help prevent another crisis. It became a real problem for him last year and an area that teams targeted at times.
Hopefully Hickey hasn’t suffered any real injury, but it should be enough of a scare to prompt Levein to bring in left-back cover.