Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes has been a major point of discussion amongst the football fraternity owing to the splendid form he carved on the Scottish domestic soil during the season which just concluded. Hayes was one of the most instrumental elements for the Dons in a season in which they finished runners-up to Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic in the League Cup, Scottish Premiership as well as the Scottish Cup and if the latest reports are to be believed, the Celts are planning to lure him to the Celtic Park to bolster the quality of their squad.
A youth product of Reading, he failed to get any first-team opportunity with the Royals as well as with Leicester City after making a move to the home of the Foxes. It was during his tenure with Inverness Caledonian Thistle where he started to ink a strong footing for himself and earn recognition for his fine calibre. It was in the summer of 2012 that Aberdeen acquired his services and ever since then, he had been a fantastic servant for the Reds, and had scored 9 goals in the 2016-17 season of the Scottish Premiership.
The 29-year-old is a versatile player who is comfortable on either wing and has a notable inclination for not only scoring goals but to also create ample amount of chances for his teammates. Besides, he still has a decent pace in his legs and knits the game plan brilliantly in the final third and his craftsmanship in gelling well with the fullbacks make him an appealing prospect. He is a shrewd passer of the ball, crosses the ball into the box meticulously, more often than not, contributes defensively as well and was handed his debut with his national side, the Republic of Ireland, last year owing to his consistency.
While it has been absolutely relishing seeing the former Liverpool and Swansea City boss entrusting responsibilities on the shoulders of the youngsters he had at his disposal last season, he would need proven players to instil confidence into his squad by bringing fresh yet proven faces so that the Hoops can successfully erect a commendable footing for themselves in the Champions League, apart from keeping their momentum up and running in the domestic competitions. Hayes has truckloads of experience and a move to Celtic in quest of new adventures should be a compelling one for himself as well, for he would get to face more competition to redeem the best of him and earn major silverwares with Rodgers’ side.
