FAMILIARITY IN UNCERTAINTY
Instant impact of returning Hayes is vital for Dons
After an unprecedented 138-day hibernation, Scottish football will resurface this weekend as the 2020-21 season begins. Here
Sportsmail runs an expert eye over the 12 teams, starting with Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen.
DESPITE costing the club precisely zero pounds and zero pence in either transfer fee or wages, plenty is riding on the return of Jonny Hayes to Aberdeen.
While a lot of fan fretting will be focused on whether Sam Cosgrove, Scott McKenna or Lewis Ferguson end up leaving for the kind of offer that no Scottish club can refuse, the performance of Hayes is going to be key to everything Derek McInnes hopes to achieve in a season of uncertainty.
Because it’s entirely accurate to say that, since his departure for Celtic Park in 2017, the Dons have never really replaced the Irishman.
Some have filled the position and the jersey. None have created quite the threat level he brought to Pittodrie — and various away grounds — during his heyday.
His pace, his directness, his ability to create and take chances… Hayes led the Scottish Premiership in assists in the season before Celtic snapped him up.
The fact that he didn’t break through under first Brendan Rodgers and then Neil Lennon, despite impressing just about every time he was thrown into action, is no slight on the player himself.
Competition among wingers was particularly fierce during his time in Glasgow and, although Hayes was more than competent when deployed at left-back, he wasn’t Kieran Tierney.
McInnes won’t be using him in a starting position 60 yards from the opposition box, surely.
Even at 33, he’s still got the gas to burn defenders one on one, with every stat available showing his percentage of successful dribbles right up there with the best in the league.
By any measure, then, Hayes — who has agreed to play for free during his first year back at Pittodrie — represents a solid investment.
And you can understand why McInnes leapt at the chance of reuniting Hayes with fellow 33-year-old Niall McGinn. There’s a whole Blues Brothersstyle ‘We’re getting the band back together…’ feel about the Aberdeen gaffer’s summer business.
If Adam Rooney shows up in the Granite City, we’ll be absolutely certain about the master plan.
Truthfully, if the Dons are looking to build their crack at the new season on something, the model that made them such consistent challengers for the top honours represents a decent template.
Whether or not Cosgrove stays, it’s clear that Aberdeen will look to kill teams with trickery on the wings.
Defensively, they’ll be solid and strong, with experienced keeper Joe Lewis arguably the best in Scotland on his day. Which always helps.
Guarantees? None are offered. And few fans would seek assurances of absolute certainty at this particular time.
With the transfer window not shutting until October 5 this year — an unexpected side effect of the pandemic — even a brilliant start to the season might represent a mixed blessing for the Dons.
Fans locked out of Pittodrie by the pandemic may find themselves hoping that Cosgrove, McKenna and Ferguson perform with brilliance. But not too much flash. Just in case.
Former Aberdeen captain, manager and director or football Willie Miller believes holding on to Cosgrove in particular would represent a boost to Aberdeen.
But, like most with an attachment to the club, he’s grown used to seeing the best performers leave.
And watching McInnes find a way to cope.
‘If Cosgrove’s still in a red shirt come August 1, it will be a boost for Aberdeen,’ said Miller.
‘They’ve got a huge game to start the season against Rangers and you want your best players available. And he’s certainly one of them.
‘Everyone connected with the club would be pleased and relieved to see him striding out at Pittodrie.
‘I’m sure, however, plans will be in place to find a replacement if Cosgrove
was to go.
‘The longer he’s with the Dons the better, but there comes a time for every player when a move will come along that may suit them.
‘That will be the challenge for McInnes and his recruitment team. If a suitable move comes along, then they will need to try to find an adequate replacement.’
McInnes has a firm grasp on this reality. Plugging gaping holes in the first team and wider squad is just what he does.
So what represents success for Aberdeen, in this year of living dangerously? You could ask the same question about any season — and get as many different answers.
A Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic in late October/early November, with Hayes cleared to play against his former club, should be an obvious target.
The prize of getting past Celtic, a final against either Hibs or Hearts gives the Dons a huge incentive in their pursuit of a first trophy since the 2013-14 League Cup.
The fact Aberdeen were pipped to third place by Kilmarnock and then Motherwell in each of the last two seasons is also a truth not easily ignored. They will hope to regain that crown this season.