The wheels are back in motion at Parkhead and everything seems swell once again.

Heading into the international break, Celtic are six points behind their arch-rivals Rangers but it could be a lot worse.

The Gers blew one of their opportunities to extend their lead after drawing with Livingston and then after the gap opened up to nine points on Saturday, Celtic responded brilliantly on Sunday.

Fortunately for Neil Lennon's side, they swatted aside Motherwell with absolute ease by scoring three unanswered goals.

This has been a crazy chaotic period for the Hoops but they are finally out of the woods. 

The international break has come at just the right time and should hopefully give the likes of David Turnbull and Shane Duffy the time to settle into life at Parkhead without the pressure of matches.

The break will also give Nick Hammond and co some extra time to finalise some more transfers. 

Neil Lennon

There is still the sense that Celtic need a new left-back this summer.

Boli Bolingoli's quarantine saga means he could be on his way to Amiens which would leave the Hoops rather short on the left-hand side. 

Leeds' Barry Douglas has been linked but so too has one of their former academy products.

That happens to be Hearts full-back Aaron Hickey. Celtic have been chasing the 18-year-old for quite some time but their pursuit of the teenager is set to become even more difficult now.

The Bhoys are still interested in acquiring his services but they now face increased pressure from Italian outfit Bologna to sign him.

In quotes relayed by Edinburgh Evening News, the club's Technical Director Walter Sabatini revealed: "Yes, we will do everything possible to take Aaron Hickey. He can play football, is intelligent and has important tactical qualities, also bearing in mind that he is a smart guy." 

Bologna had a bid of £1.3m rejected for Hickey last week because Celtic have a 30% sell-on clause. 

Hearts value the youngster at a minimum of £1.5m according to the report. 

Aaron Hickey

GIVEMESPORT'S Matt Dawson says...

Hickey is the best up and coming full-back in Scottish football. There are no two ways about it.

The 18-year-old is a prestigious talent and has been mentioned in the same breath as some of the best around.

Capable of playing on the left or also on the right, he's been described as someone who could move into the middle of the park and "end up being like Busquets." That's the words of Austin MacPhee anyway. 

However, it's not just the Barcelona midfielder that he's been compared to, he's also been tipped to follow in the footsteps of two of Scotland's best players. 

Aaron Hickey

Andy Walker commented in June 2020: "But there's no doubt in my mind that, in time, Hickey could follow the example of Liverpool's Andrew Robertson or Arsenal's Kieran Tierney and adjust from playing in the Scottish Premiership to thriving in the more demanding English Premier League." 

Hickey is already playing above his station and would be a fabulous capture for Celtic. Whoever he signs for, though, it looks as though he's set to become an absolute star.