Ex-Hearts manager Daniel Stendel has admitted he was forced to rely on Bayern Munich-bound Aaron Hickey with the Jambos in the relegation mire.
The rising Scottish left-back is set to sign for the Bundesliga giants on a bumper four-year deal and turn down interest from Lyon and Bologna.
German boss Stendel compared Hickey last week to ex- Bayern legendary full back Philipp Lahm and advised the Bavarians to loan him out immediately once they sign him...just as they did with Lahm at the start of his career.
But he's revealed he was forced to play Hickey, who only turned 18 in June, too much last term with Hears involved in an ultimately unsuccessful battle against Premiership relegation.
He said: "The boy was outplayed during the season. I would have liked to rest him more often, but we absolutely needed him.
"It was a heavy burden for a 17-year-old at the time.
"Aaron was by far the most interesting player in my squad and the one who had the greatest potential.
"He reads the game very well and was lightning fast at reacting to things on the pitch.
"He did so many things right that I or the coaches hardly had to intervene at all with him.
"All of that makes him a special talent."
