Ever since the rumours of Celtics interest in Hayes started to circulate, the prospect of the Irish winger pulling on the Hoops has been met with howls of derision by significant sections of the support across social media. For some he’s just “too old”, others decrying his goalscoring record isn’t good enough and he isn’t an improvement on the talent we already have in the squad. Are these criticisms valid? Or should we trust that if Rodgers is targeting Hayes he knows what he’s doing?
Firstly, the topic of age – Hayes is currently 29 and he will turn 30 before the commencement of the new SPFL season. This number is particularly concerning when you take into account that Hayes is a winger and a lot of his game is based on pace and athleticism. However, it’s important to understand that age doesn’t work the same for every player, some player’s bodies start to fall apart around 29 while others can go on far longer. If Hayes can get himself in and about Rodgers training routine which has done wonders in extending the careers of players like Brown, his prime might be able to last a little longer than you’d initially think.
Perhaps the most concerning thing about his age is that there will be little to no sell on value but if Rodgers is intent on making Celtic more than just a selling club, veteran players who can come in and do a job will be vital to the growth of the team.
Next, his goalscoring record. Though Hayes’s goalscoring record isn’t exactly dazzling when viewed in totality (47 goals in 289 games) last year was his best in Aberdeen colours notching 9 goals in 32 appearances. This is no bad return for a winger, in the cup final Hayes was able to show that his talents went beyond just sticking the ball in the back of the net, he was able showed great tenacity in his pressing and a willingness to track runners both desirable traits in Rodgers system. On top of this, it’d be fair to assume that there will be a great opportunity for his goals to games ratio to improve next year if he’s in the hoops due to the huge amount of chances that Celtic have shown they are able to create on a game to game basis.
Lastly, is the idea that Hayes isn’t an improvement on what’s already in the squad. He certainly doesn’t have the talent level of Sinclair or Roberts, there is no denying that. However, his performances last year did show he has the ability to match and exceed the production of players like Forrest and Gary Mackay Steven. It’d be doing Hayes a disservice to compare him to upper echelon talent but Rodgers high pressure, high running style is very demanding on his players – towards the end of the season there was noticeable signs of fatigue in players like Sinclair, having someone like Hayes who can come in and produce would do wonders for helping to keep the squad fresh and energised.
If Hayes was Celtics marquee summer signing the support would be understandably upset. However, a championship squad is not just made up of stars, if we are going to launch a sustained challenge on multiple fronts we’ll need solid contributions from bit part players and Hayes is more than capable of fitting that bill.  If Hayes can come into Celtic and provide a valuable contribution in 10 to 15 games over the next couple of years that £1,000,000 price tag will have proved well worth the money.
JAMES JOHNSTONE
What about the players we already have at the club, those looking to be promoted from the u21s or u19s. Players like Aiden Nesbitt. I would much rather see these guys promoted and given a chance than a 30 year old from an SPL club. It is not only his age. It is his experience. He has no real European experience and has not played in a team that has got anywhere in Europe, except humiliated and turfed out early. I just don’t see the need for him. Is he better than James Forrest? No. More worrying is the link with Borini, who is 6 times the price. A mercenary who is apparently disruptive in the dressing room and who chucks it when he doesn’t get his own way. The club and the manager have said that the focus is improvement in Europe. This is why the signing of Hayes is worrying because he is clearly not going to improve the team in Europe. Is this a return to the old ways at Celtic, rather than pay for Roberts or a quality replacement we are looking at a cheaper option and then going with the Sevco-esque, ‘In Brendan we trust’ mantra. he is an excellent manager but he is not a magician. he cannot turn Jonny Hayes into a CL player. Therefore he should be nowhere near Celtic Park.
That is incredibly negative…
Nesbitt is a young player who clearly has potential but he has nowhere near the talent level of Hayes. Hayes was in the SPL team of the year last season, Nesbitt struggled to make an impact at Morton. Players like Nesbitt should be given an opportunity but it’d be unfair to stick that on his shoulders just now.
Jonny Hayes is not a player of European quality but that doesn’t mean he should be nowhere near the squad. In order to keep players like Sinclair fresh for European competition, we’ll need a deeper squad. Hayes has shown an ability to perform in the SPL and we’ll need those kinds of performances in order to keep putting points on the board.
There is value in signing squad players who aren’t necessarily starters. If Hayes is the only winger we sign this year I would be gutted but I can see the value in signing him as a backup for Roberts/Sinclair or Sinclair/Fischer.
PISH
I disagree entirely…i think he’d be a great addition to the squad.
If Brendan thinks he’s good enough you just have to accept / respect his decision ..Brendan has done little wrong ( if anything) in terms of recruitment… Not sure it’s a done deal either..so many unsubstanciated rumours around at this time ..Hail Hail !
Would have preferred to keep young Christie personally.
Can’t see a move for him but who would argue about Brendan’s signings hell he has not gone wrong he is taking us forwa