Kieran Tierney’s inclusion in the Celtic team for Saturday’s Scottish Cup final against Hearts could have implications in another key area. The Scotland international announced that he would be fit to play at Hampden after missing Celtic’s final two matches of the Premiership season.
His inclusion could also be good news for Jonny Hayes. The Irishman is expected to be fit for the final after missing Sunday’s win over Hearts. Hayes has been trusted on the left-wing in most of Celtic’s big matches since Neil Lennon joined in February.
Hayes would have been one of the main contenders to fill in for Tierney at left-back if the 21-year-old wasn’t fit. Now he may enjoy a more advanced role.
The manager’s preference
Lennon clearly likes the width Hayes gives his team. The winger, too, has enjoyed the faith his boss has shown in him. Hayes has been one of Celtic’s unsung heroes of 2019, consistently performing to the best of his ability on the left-hand side.
One criticism of the Irishman is that he is unlikely to pop up with a goal anytime soon. Hayes has only netted one goal in nearly two seasons for Celtic, and that was in December 2017.
That seems bizarre given the fact he scored 11 goals in his final season at Aberdeen. Hayes does have experience of doing it in the Scottish Cup final though. He nearly burst the invincible bubble two years ago when he netted against the Hoops for the Dons.
Celtic will be hoping he can repeat that feat on Saturday. Just in the right net this time.
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