Does Jonny Hayes have a future at Celtic?

Add as preferred source on Google

Jonny Hayes may be wondering what the future at Celtic has in store for him after a frustrating start to the new season.

The Irish winger was one of the surprising finds for the Hoops in the second-half of last season as his ability to play at both left-back and left-wing helped the club out on a number of occasions.

Hayes gained prominence in the tail end of Brendan Rodgers’ reign and then took on an even greater level of importance when Neil Lennon took charge.

The former Aberdeen man played in nine of the club’s final 11 matches last season. So it may be rather surprising to find out that he’s only played 64 minutes in the first 11 of this campaign.

Hayes could have helped Celtic out already this season

What makes Hayes’ frequent omissions even more surprising is that they’ve come at a time when Celtic are in dire need of help on the left side of the pitch.

Left-back has been a problem issue for Lennon all summer with Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo failing to hit any sort of heights as the club’s only left-sided defender. In fact, when Lennon didn’t trust the Belgian in the infamous defeat to Cluj, he stuck Callum McGregor in the unfamiliar position rather than turning to Jonny Hayes.

The Hoops haven’t exactly been flying on the left-wing either. Mikey Johnston has been a standout in the early part of the season but even he has only started seven games. And when he’s been on the sideline it is Lewis Morgan who Lennon has turned to rather than the more experienced Hayes.

The Irishman isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but he has proven to be a steady hand wherever he’s played. With the Scottish transfer window still open for another week, you wouldn’t be totally surprised to see a domestic club chance their arm with a move for the 32-year-old.

And judging by Lennon’s recent team selections, he probably wouldn’t miss him too much.