It was in the summer during lockdown when Celtic took the opportunity to trim some fat from their budget, getting rid of two players Peter Lawwell perceived as expendable.
Jozo Simunovic and Jonny Hayes were at the end of their deals and while both thought they were a stick-on to sign new deals, the pandemic offered Lawwell and easy out for dropping them both from the club.
Now, there’s no revisionism here, both players had their ups and downs at the club but Jonny, in particular, was getting game time under Neil Lennon and while the support was right to suggest Jonny wasn’t as talented as others in the side, he gave Celtic 110% and was an influence on the pitch.
He also was a grinder and right now we need that extra bit of dig. Extending his Celtic deal to be a utility man would have made sense but now the story is set between the former Celtic player and Neil Lennon’s men.
We now have a scenario where we’ll be up against Jonny twice in quick succession. Pittodrie on Saturday followed by a Hampden semi-final from last season which the Irishman would have most likely started for Celtic.
We hope this decision by Peter Lawwell, doesn’t come back to bite us.
I would suggest its already come back to bite us after watching Greg Taylor this season. We regularly waste millions on poor signings, renewing Jonny’s contract was a no-brainer and yet for the sake of a few pounds we didnt and we’ve had to go out and get Laxalt who, hopefully, will fill the void. A really poor decision to release Hayes which virtually every Celtic fan acknowledged at the time
Agree with Hayes but not Siminovic.Hayes could fill in a couple of positions and always gave 100%, the only 2 positions Siminovic filled was centre back and Physios room.
Hayes is garbage. He never performed for Celtic and simply running fast should not merit you a place in the starting XI. Celtic need full backs to command the flank they operate in and create chances just as much as their winger counterparts. Jonny Hayes offered absolutely nothing. Taylor is improving and we have a Uruguayan international defender from AC Milan in to compete for the position. Seeing Hayes come off the bench week after week was the most uninspiring thing Celtic did last season. Jozo cost us more than he helped us. Releasing both was the correct decision and not as your pathetic article calls, a “controversial” one. Do better.
Keeping hayes was the right thing to do he gave u 100per cent every time can u say the same about that bunch on saturday.