Crystal Palace target young Scottish wonderkid

South London side Crystal Palace are set to outbid Scottish champions Celtic in the £1.5 million race for young Hearts left-back Aaron Hickey. 

The Eagles are looking to sign the versatile 17-year-old, who can play at left-back as well as in central midfield, then loan him back to the Tynecastle club for the rest of the season. 

Celtic are also in the race for the boyhood Hoops fan, who was released by the club as a youngster. But, they are reluctant to go to the asking price set by their rivals. 

Celtic are entitled to 30 per cent of any profit Hearts make on him though which means they will financially benefit if Crystal Palace get to sign the talented young Scot. 

Hickey is keen to play on a regular basis and may have to wait at Celtic while the Eagles’ offer lets him continue in the Hearts’ first team. 

The Eagles, meanwhile, want to sign another young Scotsman. They are also close to signing 18-year-old midfielder Scott Banks from Dundee United on a pre-contract. 

The teenager has refused to pen a new deal at Tannadice and Crystal Palace are looking to use that to their advantage. 

Roy Hodgson's side gave a strong fight to draw 2-2 with Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday as their solid season continues. Loanee Cenk Tosun had given Palace the lead in the first-half, but Sergio Aguero scored twice in the final ten minutes to give the hosts the lead. 

But a last-gasp Fernandinho own goal meant that Manchester City would have to be content with just one point. It only means the Cityzens falling further behind Liverpool in the title-race as the gap continues to be widened. 

With a good one point earned, Palace sit ninth in the table with 30 points which is indeed a testament of how good Roy Hodgson has been at the club. They are just one point behind Spurs and two above Arsenal and not even far off the top six.

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