Celtic boss Neil Lennon has been given the job at Parkhead on a permanent basis.
Celtic lifted the Scottish Cup after a 2-1 win against Hearts on Saturday, and they promptly went on to announce that Lennon would now be in charge next season.
The Bhoys were linked with a whole host of different managers, but decided to stick with Lennon.
And Hayes feels that Celtic have made a smart choice by sticking by their current boss.
“I’ve just said to him – and, from a selfish point of view, he’s been great for me – that he’s been brilliant for the team,” he said. “His enthusiasm is infectious and it’s great to have him around the place.
“We’ve spoken about this in the dressing room but he probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves. We’ve played something like 180 games in the last three seasons and you don’t get to take your foot off the gas so there is a bit of fatigue in our dressing room.”
Hayes joined Celtic back in 2017 for £1.3 million (Daily Mail), but he had fallen out of favour towards the end of Brendan Rodgers’ time at the club.
Lennon quickly gave Hayes a more important role at Celtic after taking charge though, and he looks set to continue playing regularly next term now.
Lennon’s appointment at Celtic has been met with a mixed reaction at Parkhead.
Even though the Irish boss helped Celtic win the treble, there were Bhoys fans hoping for a more ambitious managerial appointment.
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