Celtic are ready to offload Jonny Hayes this summer after signing him only 12 months back from Aberdeen FC. The 30-year-old is reportedly close to a move back to Pittodrie Stadium as Brendan Rodgers looks to make further additions to his current squad.
Hayes’ had a torrid spell with the Hoops even after securing a £1.3m move last summer. At first, he had trouble breaking into the side from the left-wing position. When he finally started to settle into his own at Parkhead, the veteran underwent a horrific leg break in December.
He ended the 2017/18 season with just 20 appearances to his name and the second half spent on the sidelines, nursing his wounds. The 4-time Republic Ireland international lost his spot in the team for good and now is still recovering from his injury.
His contract is set to run for another two seasons which places some value on his head, aged 30. Rodgers has to move around a lot of pieces to make significant improvements to his starting XI.
The Hoops have already broken their own transfer record to get Odsonne Edouard from Paris Saint-Germain. It seems like more quality arrivals are on the cards if any of the high profile names make an exit, including Moussa Dembele.
Selling Hayes now will allow the former Liverpool boss to extract the most out of his transfer now than later. The Celtic first team already have the likes of Scott Sinclair, Ryan Christie and Lewis Morgan.
This could also be a rewarding move for Hayes who will be returning to a club where he is so much loved. The Irishman spent 5 years with the Reds and racked up over 200 appearances, 30 goals and 71 assists during that time.
He is a product of the Reading youth academy but could not break into the senior team. He developed himself while out on loan to MK Dons and Forest Green Rovers before being traded off to Leicester City.
After just two seasons at the King Power Stadium and two loan spells with Northampton Town and Cheltenham Town, Hayes was released from his contract through mutual consent. The winger spent time in the Scottish Championship with Inverness Caledonian Thistle before earning a move to the Dons in 2012.
As you can see, Hayes’ journey in his professional career has not been the most rewarding but he certainly has come a long way.
Maybe this move will be best for all parties as they look to part ways on an amicable term.
