Jonny Hayes has fast become one of Celtic’s most valuable players. The little Irishman didn’t feature too much during Neil Lennon’s initial games in charge but has since become a man for the big occasion.
He has arguably been the linchpin of our two best performances under Lennon. He started March’s derby victory over Rangers and was excellent at pinning back the Gers before being taken off at the half-time interval.
He was also one of the key men behind Lennon’s most impressive result so far – the 3-0 Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Aberdeen.
Hayes started that day and tormented Dons full-back Dom Ball before the Englishman was sent off. He also won the penalty that Odsonne Edouard converted to seal the win at Hampden.
Raring to go
After not starting last weekend’s win over Kilmarnock, Hayes will be fresh and raring to go this time around. He is the ideal man to start on the left-hand side of the pitch.
Dons right-back Shay Logan is likely to make his return from a three month injury on Saturday. It makes perfect sense to make him run as much as possible. Hayes is our best weapon to do that.
There’s also the added fact that he knows the Pittodrie surface and surroundings better than most.
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