HAYES HAPPY TO BE BACK AFTER INJURY

CELTIC’S Jonny Hayes is not taking his fitness for granted anymore after returning to training following a broken leg.

T h e w i n g e r ’s d e bu t campaign at Parkhead was disrupted by a serious leg injury suffered at Dens Park shortly after Christmas last season.

He made just 20 appearances following his move from Aberdeen in the summer before being sidelined but has returned to training with the rest of the squad at their pre-season camp in Austria.

The 30-year-old admits he could have been back before t he end of t he season but is making the most of his return t o fitness.

He said: “Every day feels like a reward. A lot of work went in with the physios and the medical team and it was a long road but now it feels like every day and getting out in training is a reward for what we have done.

“There were some days when you have that nagging in the back of your head thinking ‘am I going to come back?’ and you’re never 100% sure until you are back and training with the boys.

“I could probably have trained two or three months ago.”

He added: “I’m still a bit excited, running around a bit too much.

“It’s been a long time coming, getting back with the boys last week. I don’t take it for granted, it’s exciting to be back in.”