Celtic winger Jonny Hayes is proving to be the Hoops’ first choice at left-back. The Irishman is becoming an important part of the team in defence this season.
Despite coming back from injury, Hayes displaced Boli Bolingoli to start yesterday’s League Cup win. Time will prove that he will also keep Greg Taylor from the team too.
Jonny Hayes is the Celtic left-back
To his own admission, Hayes’ Celtic career has been a whirlwind of emotions. He has been in and out the team in different positions but is finally settling at left-back.
Neil Lennon brought in two others in Bolingoli and Taylor in the summer but Hayes seems to be beating them. Taylor was ineligible against Rangers but Bolingoli was also back from injury like Hayes was.
Before being out, Hayes was keeping a frustrated Taylor from being in the team.
A lot of people would have thought Bolingoli would go straight back in for the Rangers game but it wasn’t the case. This is proving that Lennon backs his fellow countryman to be his focal point at left-back.
Hayes’ versatility, speed, experience and determination is winning over Lennon – he is his type of player. But, what does this mean for the others vying for their place at left-back?
Who will be pushing Irishman for spot?
Predictably, it’ll be Bolingoli and Taylor fighting with Hayes for the position.
However, Hayes cannot play every game and wasn’t fully fit for the Rangers game by his own admission. The team have Monday off, which means back in on Tuesday ready for Cluj on Thursday night.
Lennon could play Taylor or Bolingoli in place of Hayes but it’s more likely the Irishman will start again.
But, if he doesn’t, whoever ends up playing will be the closest man pushing the new first choice.
What’s for sure is Hayes has came a long way from being the strange signing from Aberdeen, He is starting winning cup finals and keeping seasoned pros from getting into the team.
Nobody will be prouder other than the man himself.
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