Could Celtic open the door for Calvin Miller if Hayes leaves?

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Aberdeen want to re-sign Jonny Hayes from Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic, according to reports, but what does this mean for Calvin Miller?

Jonny Hayes’ Celtic career could be over after just six league starts.

According to the Express (22 June, page 58) Aberdeen are interested in re-signing the 30-year-old just one year after he left Pittodrie for Parkhead in a £1.3 million deal that looked like great business at the time.

But Hayes struggled to hold down a regular starting spot due to competition from the likes of Patrick Roberts, Scott Sinclair and James Forrest. And, in a horrible blow, his debut season at Celtic was cut short in December thanks to a broken leg – just as he was starting to make his mark.

Now, with Lewis Morgan arriving and Ryan Christie returning, Hayes could find himself further down the pecking order. So an exit makes sense this summer with Aberdeen allegedly joined in the race by Preston, who want to sign the Republic of Ireland international on loan with an option to buy.

But if Hayes does go, this might just open the door for Calvin Miller.

The Glasgow-born 20-year-old made just three league appearances last season, with Hayes and Kieran Tierney ahead of him on left-flank duty. And TEAMtalk had reported last week that Miller was set to sign a new contract at Celtic before joining Sunderland on loan to boost his first-team experience.

But, if Hayes is out the way, this could mean that Miller is promoted to Tierney’s deputy with no other natural left-back in Brendan Rodgers’ squad. With Miller ten years younger than Hayes, it seems the more sensible decision would be to put their faith in him.