I’ll be Jonny come lately
JONNY HAYES believes playing in the Champions League group stage will help him land a start for the Republic of Ireland.
The ex-Aberdeen winger is desperate to get through the qualifiers with Celtic and sample the competition for the first time.
Having forced his way into Martin O’Neill’s international set-up towards the end of last season Hayes wants more.
And he’s convinced if Brendan Rodgers’ side can negotiate three ties – starting with Linfield on Friday – it will strengthen his case ahead of next year’s World Cup.
He said: “We’re under no illusions as to how hard it’ll be to reach the group stage.
“But it’s the best competition in the world and if I’m in the Celtic team playing Champions League football it will help me going forward with Ireland.
“There are top-quality players in our squad and the national team is flying right now as well, so I’ve got a hell of a job on to get in the way things are.
“But as soon as I came to Celtic it has been about me improving. I know 100 per cent the manager can make me better.
“If I keep doing what I’m doing I’ll improve at Celtic because he’s one of the best managers in the world.”
Hayes turned 30 yesterday after starting the weekend in his home city of Dublin with his first Celtic goal in a 9-0 friendly win over Shamrock Rovers.
The winger has barely had a break all summer but insists it means he’ll be raring to go for the start of the campaign.
He said: “I could have probably stayed in Dublin for my birthday if I’d asked but it’s a busy time of year with the game on Friday.
“The best approach was to get back to Glasgow and prepare. I’ve settled in so well and I know how the manager wants us to play. It was a bonus to be involved with Ireland over the summer because it kept me on my toes.”