Jonny Hayes has endured a difficult time at Celtic since joining from Aberdeen this summer.
Jonny Hayes’ morale at Celtic will have already taken quite a knock, but being omitted from Ireland’s international squad will be an even bigger kick in the teeth.
The 30-year-old has made just five starts for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season, as the likes of Scott Sinclair, Patrick Roberts and James Forrest continue to keep the tenacious winger on the sidelines.
His lack of game time has now seen Ireland boss Martin O’Neill overlook the former Inverness and MK Dons attacker, which is likely to frustrate the Irishman as O’Neill’s side prepare to face Denmark over two legs for a place in the World Cup finals next summer.
Ireland announced the squad on their official website, with O’Neill preferring the likes of Aiden McGeady, Robbie Brady and James McClean.
During his 13 appearances in total for Celtic, the four-time Ireland international has failed to recapture his 2016-17 form that earned him a move to Parkhead as well as a place in the Ireland squad.
Celtic’s number 15 scored 11 goals and laid on a huge 24 assists last term, becoming renowned as the assist machine of the Scottish Premiership. This time around, no goals and only one assist has seen him drop out of the Celtic side.
Now, with just over six months until the World Cup kicks off, Hayes will be desperate for first-team game time in order to prove to Ireland that he deserves to be on the plane to Russia.
However, the chances of that happening at Celtic look unlikely. A January move away from the Scottish champions is Hayes’ only choice, if he wants to be involved with Ireland next summer.
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