Dons step up Hayes pursuit

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown will this week step up his bid to sign Caley Jags winger Jonny Hayes.

In-demand attacker Jonny Hayes has refused to rule out staying with Inverness.

The 24-year-old winger, who becomes a free agent at the end of the month, will hold further talks with Aberdeen later this week.

SPL rivals Hibs, St Johnstone and Motherwell are also chasing the former Leicester City player who scored nine goals in 30 games for the Highland club last season.

The Caley Jags are desperate to retain their man and Hayes said: “I am not going to rush into anything.

“The only offer I have on the table is Inverness at the moment.

“There has been contact from Craig Brown, he is a good friend of the manager and he went through the club and asked to speak to me.

“I spoke to him out of courtesy really andhe is the only other person I have spoken to other than the manager.

“I think the way last season went it is more about my development just now.

“My aim at the start of the season was to play in every game and play well.

“I have had too many ups and downs in terms of my performances and injuries.

“At the moment there is no point trying to go to a big club and having to prove myself again.

“If I do eventually leave Caley Thistle I want to be a regular somewhere else rather than risking it and being a squad player again.

“It is vital formy career at the moment that I play football.”