HAYES: DONS WOULD NEED £20m TO RIVAL CELTIC

JONNY HAYES believes it would take an investment of £20million to bridge the gap between Aberdeen and a rampant Celtic next season. Despite the vast chasm between the clubs, Hayes insists that Derek McInnes’ men are capable of pipping the Treble-chasing Parkhead club to the Scottish Cup. But to do so, they will need a vast improvement on their insipid League Cup final showing last November, when Aberdeen were swatted aside 3-0 by Brendan Rodgers’ men. ‘What will it take to close the gap on Celtic next season? About £20m, I would say,’ stated the 29-year-old. ‘They’ve blown everyone else out of the water this season. It was pretty common knowledge from around October that they were going to win the league. ‘But can we beat Celtic in a one-off match? Yes! They are the best team in the country, but we have had a couple of tight games against them this season. ‘On the day of the League Cup final, we just didn’t show up. It could have been any other team in the Premiership and we would have still lost. ‘We know we are a lot better than we showed that day. Not one player came off the park with any credit. ‘It’s up to us to give a better account of ourselves in the Scottish Cup final.’ Hayes also sent out a warning to struggling Rangers that Aberdeen are in no mood to relinquish their hard-fought second place — this season or next. ‘It will be even tougher next season because Rangers will invest,’ he said. ‘So, too, will Hearts. ‘The Premiership will also be improved because Hibs are a good side and they are coming up and maybe Dundee United, too. ‘But in the last few years, it has got tougher every season and our manager has risen to the challenge by signing better players and getting even more out of the players already at the club. ‘And if we have the natural progression we know is within us, then we can go on and try to finish second and get closer to Celtic. ‘The battle is still going on for second place this season, but we are happy where we are right now (nine clear of Rangers). ‘We have a couple of big games left to cement second spot and, if we do it, then it will be deserved.’ As he was named on the shortlist for PFA Scotland’s Premiership Player of the Year, alongside Celtic trio Stuart Armstrong, Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair, Hayes revealed he voted for a Parkhead rival. ‘Stuart Armstrong has had an excellent season even by his own standards,’ he said. ‘He’s been the pick of the bunch for me, although I haven’t enjoyed playing against him because he always plays well against us!’