Jonny Hayes’ position in this Celtic squad certainly isn’t as comfortable as it was last season.
The energetic Irishman was widely seen as Celtic’s utility man down the left. The former Aberdeen star made a total of 22 appearances last season, but it was in the final couple of months under Neil Lennon where he really made his mark.
Hayes managed nine appearances during Lennon’s time during the last campaign. Mainly operating as a left-back, he proved sufficient cover for the struggling Kieran Tierney. With Tierney’s injury problems persistent, Hayes managed to win the duel between himself and Emilio Izaguirre.
He ended the season on a high note, playing a key role in securing the treble-treble for Celtic. Lennon was then offered the job permanently and that was that for another season.
But Hayes’ role at Celtic looks a lot different now.
The arrival of Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo certainly hasn’t helped. It’s pushed Hayes back down the pecking order. He should be first-reserve at left-back as it stands, but that’s only because Tierney is sidelined. He’s started none of our four competitive games so far, and has played just 33 minutes in total.
If the Scotland international stays at Parkhead beyond the summer, Hayes will be bumped down even further. Getting back into that left-back role like he did last season looks seriously difficult.
Jonny Hayes’ position continues to be as a utility man
And it’s certainly not going to be much easier to play at left-mid either. Mikey Johnston, Lewis Morgan, and Scott Sinclair all seem ahead of Hayes in that regard.
It looks as though the former Dons star is just going to have to accept that he’s a squad player from now on. At 32, there’s not a lot of development left in Hayes as it stands.
His time at Parkhead has so often been as a utility man. He hasn’t been able to seriously make a position his own since joining over two years ago. That’s nothing against Hayes either, it’s just down to the sheer quality that’s been playing ahead of him.
Hayes should get his chances
He’ll have his chances this season. Lennon will call upon him once again here and there if necessary. Should Tierney go, he’ll likely get a fair bunch of opportunities too. But the regular spot he had in the side towards the end of last season appears to be gone.
Fortunately, he doesn’t seem one to complain about it too. Hayes knows he’s been onto a good thing at Parkhead ever since he got the chance to sign. He’ll be delighted just to play whatever kind of a part he can.
His commitment to the cause is exactly what we need from our fringe players. But, when you look at the competition, unfortunately it doesn’t look as though Hayes will be anything more than a fringe man this season.
But he will be an important member of the squad in any case, and a player that can still be useful to Lennon in a variety of ways.
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