The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Hayes took 30 seconds to be sold on move to Celtic
TRANSFER: Winger quickly convinced by ‘infectious’ Rodgers
Jonny Hayes admits it took Brendan Rodgers just 30 seconds to sell him on the “complete package” on offer at Celtic.
The Irish winger completed his £1.3 million switch from Aberdeen over the weekend and is now eyeing up a first taste of Champions League action.
Hayes also had offers from the likes of Cardiff on the table as he weighed up his Parkhead move.
But the winger revealed it took only a few words from Rodgers – who he previously worked with during his days as a teenage trainee at Reading – to convince him to stay in Scotland.
He said: “As soon as Aberdeen gave Celtic permission, I spoke to Brendan and within 30 seconds I knew I wanted to come.
“I knew there might be a chance I was going down to England. My agent Barry Hughes had set a few things up for me and I could have gone. But as soon as Celtic became involved it was the only place I wanted to come.
“My heart was set on Celtic from the minute I spoke to the manager. He’s infectious.
“I’d been waiting all day for the phone call. It was about six or seven at night when he finally called, I don’t think I’d spoken a word in that first 30 seconds other than ‘hello’ and I was sold.
“He’s fantastic to work for. It’s a long time since I worked with him at Reading but there are a lot of other major factors in me wanting to come here. There’s the size of the club, the chance to play in front of 55,000 every week, the chance to play in the Champions League.
“So many things that when you put it together, you realise it’s the complete package.”
Hayes was part of a Dons line-up which finished a distant second to the Hoops last season, as well as losing to the Glasgow club in both cup finals.
And he admits he had to overcome his own doubts about whether he could make the grade at Celtic Park before agreeing to his three-year deal.
However, having been convinced he has what it takes, Hayes is now aims to break into a side that went the whole season without losing to Scottish rivals. Celtic will play Northern Ireland’s Linfield or La Fiorita of San Marino in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.
The tie will take place over two legs on July 11 or 12 and 18 or 19.
“The manager told me the squad has been quite flexible this year, being adaptable with formations and rotating players,” he said. “He sees me as part of that. That was enough for me.
“I know I have played quite regularly up the road over the last few years but coming into a squad of this ability, it’s going to be quite a challenge to get into the team, especially after the season they had last year.
“There’s no doubt I’ll have to raise my own game.
“I’ve come here knowing it’s going to be hard getting into the team but I’m looking forward to the challenge and the prospect of getting to play with guys like Scott Sinclair, Leigh Griffiths and Scott Brown.”