Jonny Hayes must leave Celtic to save his career

By Connor Gordon

November 20, 2018

Celtic winger Jonny Hayes must leave the club as soon as possible to rejuvenate his career.

The former Aberdeen star has only made 23 appearances since joining from The Reds last year.

Unfortunately, the 31-year-old has been kept out the team by on-fire James Forrest this season.

Edging towards the end of his playing career, Hayes must find a club he can consistently play with.

Hayes isn’t hitting Aberdeen heights at Celtic

The Irishman joined Celtic off the back of a fantastic season with The Dons who reached two cup finals.

He scored the opening goal for Aberdeen before Celtic came back to win 2-1 and secure their first treble since 2001.

The winger opened the scoring against his new club in the Scottish Cup Final. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

A £1.47 million move brought the attacker to Celtic who were crying out for a consistent winger.

Fans weren’t singing from the rooftops with his signing who were looking towards Patrick Roberts on a permanent deal.

Hayes played 19 games for his new club before facing half the season out injured.

Irishman was out for eight months after getting injured away at Dundee. (Photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)

With only one goal, coincidentally against Aberdeen, Hayes faded into oblivion.

This season, he has been an outcast having only played three games and not played since August.

Where next for winger?

Chances are, Hayes will get less opportunities to play for Celtic.

James Forrest is having his best season at the club and Brendan Rodgers has more left-wingers than he knows what to do with.

Lewis Morgan was bought in the summer and isn’t really getting a sniff while Ryan Christie is having his breakthrough season.

Furthermore, Scott Sinclair is a high earner and is one of Rodgers’ favoured men.

At 31, this leaves Hayes with few options on where he will ply his trade next.

Attacker may not be a fan of Dons return. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

A loan deal to Aberdeen wouldn’t be sniffed at by the Dons faithful, but the player may not want to go back to a place he has done everything possible.

A surprise return to Inverness in the Scottish Championship would be appreciated by the Highlanders who are looking to get back into the top flight.

Hayes may have his own sights on going back home to Ireland with Dundalk. All that’s for sure is Hayes won’t be the starting winger he wants to be.

He must show desire to play by going elsewhere.