Jonny Hayes makes big statement in Celtic win over Kilmarnock

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When the day started, not many would have thought we would be here talking about a Jonny Hayes performance.

Yet, after a terrific outing up and down the pitch at Rugby Park, the Irishman has now surely secured his spot as the number two left-back.

Hayes was given a huge boost before the game when he was chosen in the starting XI. After Thursday night’s defeat to Valencia, fans were fuming at the performance of Emilio Izaguirre. Brendan Rodgers ultimately seemed to agree and dropped the Honduran from the squad totally this afternoon.

And Hayes himself repaid his manager massively.

From the first minute, he was always showing for the ball down the left. Despite having to deal with the once again ineffective Scott Sinclair, Hayes never put a foot wrong.

Added to that, he was the main outlet when Kilmarnock went down to 10 men. After Kirk Broadfoot was sent off in the closing stages, the Hoops consistently looked to play in the marauding Hayes down the left.

Defensively, he also wasn’t a let-down either. Whilst Chris Burke was a constant threat from his cross-balls, he barely got beyond the efficient Hayes.

A performance out of the blue

It really was a performance out of the blue from the previously forgotten former Aberdeen star.

What makes the display from Hayes even more special is his circumstance last January. Frozen out of the side, he was linked with a move back to Aberdeen. 

Whilst at the time it made sense, nobody could’ve foreseen the disastrous situation Celtic are currently having to endure at left-back.

At Celtic, it’s vitally important to strike when you get your chance in the team. Hayes showed energy, pace, and quality both going forward and defensively to take his.

Question marks now immediately have to be asked of Izaguirre’s future at Parkhead.

With Kieran Tierney surely nearing a return, and Izzy’s contract up at the end of the season, it doesn’t look great all of a sudden from the Honduran.

This was a day the title was just about won, and Hayes can be satisfied in knowing that he was a massive part of it. Izzy, on the other hand, now has some big problems.