Jonny Hayes was reportedly set to leave Celtic and re-join Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen during the January transfer window.
Jonny Hayes looked set to leave Celtic for Aberdeen during the January transfer window, just 18 months after he left Pittodrie and moved to Parkhead for £1.3 million (The Express).
But, on deadline day, Celtic got cold feet. TEAMtalk reports that The Hoops performed a dramatic U-turn at the eleventh hour, deciding to keep the Irishman in Glasgow until the end of the season, where they will then make a decision about his future.
Right now, however, that is looking like an inspired call.
Celtic might have been beaten in Valencia on Thursday night, Kevin Gameiro’s goal ending The Hoops’ Europa League campaign at the Round of 32 stage, but they really took the game to the Spaniards before Jeremy Toljan’s silly red card.
And Hayes was arguably the best player on the pitch at the Mestalla.
Lining up at left-wing back, the 30-year-old looked like the forward who set up 24 goals for Aberdeen in 2016/17 rather than the one who has struggled at Celtic, racing down the flank, linking effectively with Ryan Christie while giving the hosts’ defenders no end of problems.
In the absence of star man Kieran Tierney, Hayes has stepped up in style. He was terrific in the 1-0 win at Kilmarnock last weekend too, a result that puts Celtic en route for an eighth straight league title.
Aberdeen’s loss, then, has definitely been The Hoops’ gain.
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