Jonny Hayes admits that he is still ‘learning’ in his new defensive role for Celtic

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Jonny Hayes started for Celtic as they beat Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Celtic ace Jonny Hayes has honestly stated that he is still ‘learning’ to play his new defensive role for his club following his side’s 1-0 win at Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday.

Brendan Rodgers opted to play the midfielder at left-back against Steve Clarke’s side and he didn’t disappoint as he helped his side clinch a valuable three points in the race for the Scottish Premiership title.

Captian Scott Brown scored the only goal of the game for the away team when his shot took a deflection off opposition defender Alex Bruce in the final minutes of the match.

Nonetheless, 31-year-old Hayes opened up and offered an honest view on the new role he his playing as he shared that his teammates have helped him along the way.

“I enjoy it,” Hayes told Sky Sports Football on 17/02/2019. “We tend to dominate possession so you play more like a wing-back role. I’ve watched people like Mika [Lustig] play for years now and understand the role a bit better.

“Learning from someone 10 years younger than you in KT [Kieran Tierney], but he up there with the best in Europe and obviously I have picked up along the way from him.”

During the summer of 2017, the Bhoys snapped up Republic of Ireland winger Hayes from Premiership rivals Aberdeen, but he has not been a regular member of Rodgers team since his arrival because of a serious injury he suffered last term.

Since his time at the club, he has played 31 matches in all competitions, scoring one goal and supplying four assists to his teammates, according to transfermarkt.

The three points at Killie means that Rodgers side are now eight points clear of their Old Firm rivals Rangers in the table, who dropped value points against St Johnstone on Saturday.

Nonetheless, it remains to be seen if Hayes keeps his place in the side when Celtic travel to Spain on Thursday for the second leg of their Europa League encounter – Hayes was an unused substitute during the 2-0 first leg defeat.