Aaron Hickey insists he’s ready to make up for lost time in a Scotland jersey after losing almost two years of his career to injury.

The full-back looked set to become a mainstay of Steve Clarke’s side after being handed his full debut against Poland three years ago.

But a hamstring injury sustained while playing for Brentford at Stamford Bridge in October 2023 proved far more serious than was first feared.

At long last, free from injury, he returned to the field as a substitute for his club against Nottingham Forest last month — 659 days after his unfortunate match against Chelsea.

Despite logging just 82 minutes over three games since his return this season, Hickey rejoined Steve Clarke’s squad for the initial World Cup qualifiers against Denmark and Belarus.

Aaron Hickey keeps a close eye on Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal during the Scots’ win at Hampden

Hickey is excited to resume his cap career after an agonising spell on the sidelines

England midfielder Jude Bellingham tries to keep Hickey in check during a friendly encounter

The former Hearts and Bologna defender believes there’s no better way to compensate for his prolonged absence than by being part of the first Scotland team to reach the grand stage of international football since 1998.

‘I think every boy dreams of going to the World Cup, so you have to aim high,’ said the 23-year-old. ‘After being sidelined for so long, you have to make the most of your time back on the pitch.

‘Mentally, I feel a bit stronger and just see a different path. I can deal with more things. I feel like I’m still the same, but just headstrong.

‘Walking out at a World Cup would be a dream come true, probably the best feeling you could have in football. Hopefully, it comes our way.’

Among the many people Hickey feels indebted to is Clarke, as the Scotland manager ensured to keep in touch with him throughout his extensive rehabilitation period.

‘It was really encouraging from the manager and all the staff who stayed in contact and checked up on me,’ he added. ‘It provided me with a little boost to make my comeback.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews has eased Hickey back into action at club level this season

‘I didn’t feel too far away, obviously watching the games and stuff, so it was good to catch up.’

On the conversation with the manager which led to his return to the squad, Hickey said: ‘He just congratulated me for being back, asked how I was feeling and I just told him I felt fit and wanted to play.’

Recalling the low point of his time out, the defender admits that the false hope he had immediately before the finals in Germany was particularly hard to take.

‘I was close to coming back and then I would feel it again and have to go through the whole process again, so that was probably the most difficult part of the injury,’ he reflected.

‘Obviously, missing out on the Euros was a big one for me. That was quite hard to take.

‘It was hit or miss if I could make it or not. But unluckily I just felt the injury again and unfortunately couldn’t make it.

‘It was gutting not to be there. I was dying to go, but also, in the back of my head, I was thinking it would be really hard to go and not play and be involved.

‘So, I just stayed at home and watched the games with my friends supporting the team.

‘Unfortunately, the results didn’t go our way, but it gave us a little taste of what it feels like to play the tournaments and makes you want to go to the World Cup and do something. Hopefully, we can do that.’

Despite the extraordinary length of time he was out for, the player always believed that there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

Scotland will hope that Hickey’s return can solve their problem right-back position

Hickey keeps a close eye on Aston Villa’s Evann Guessand during a Premier League clash

‘I think at the start it was hard,’ he recalled. ‘And then, as it went on, it got a little bit harder and then I just took a step back and thought, I’ve got to just deal with this now.

‘Sometimes in life you have negative thoughts, you can’t help it. But you just have to flip that around. That’s what I did. I said to myself — your time is going to come, you’ll be back on the pitch and be enjoying it again. You just have to stay positive all the time.’

With only three run-outs against Forest, Aston Villa and Bournemouth at the start of this season, Hickey acknowledges that he may have to be used sparingly across the double header with the Danes and Belarus.

‘I’ve not played too many minutes, but I’ve had a good pre-season, played in a couple of friendlies, got my fitness back up and came off the bench a few times,’ he said.

‘I think when you’ve been out for a long period of time, it’s all about managing the minutes. Whether I play or not, I’m just happy to be here.

‘As long as the guys want to choose me to play, I’ll give my best shot and try to play as long as I can.’