The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Making Hayes at Parkhead
Celtic: Former Don ready to hit ground running after 30-second sales pitch
Jonny Hayes concedes it took Brendan Rodgers just 30 seconds to sell him on the “complete package” on offer at Celtic.
The Irish midfielder sealed his £1.3million switch from Aberdeen over the weekend and is now eyeing up a first taste of Champions League action.
Hayes also had offers from south of the border from the likes of Cardiff on the table as he weighed up his Parkhead move.
But he 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 to England. My agent, Barry Hughes, had set up a few things 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 out there 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 year, as well as losing to the Glasgow giants in both domestic cup finals.
He concedes he had to overcome his own doubts about whether he could make the grade at Parkhead before agreeing to his three-year deal.
However, having been convinced by Rodgers he has what it takes, Hayes is now determined to break into a side that went the whole of last season without losing to Scottish opposition.
“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
“My heart was set on Celtic from the minute I spoke to the manager. He’s infectious”
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. Last season we finished a number of points behind Celtic at Aberdeen.
“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.”
“I’ve got full confidence in the manager that he can improve me as a player.” Tam Scobbie criticised St Johnstone chairman Steve Brown, claiming he was forced out of the club.
Scobbie, who has joined Dundee United after five successful years at Saints, revealed how he was left feeling undervalued by the Perth side after being offered a new deal that would have meant accepting a 35% wage cut.
That contract was derided as a slap in the face and an embarrassment by the defender, who insisted he was willing to accept a 15% reduction in terms in recognition of the financial constraints facing Scottish football as a whole.
The criticism of Brown contrasted starkly with Scobbie’s praise for manager Tommy Wright’s handling of the situation, with the Northern Irishman admonished of any responsibility for the exit.
Scobbie, 29, who has signed a two-year deal with the Tangerines, said: “I had great times at St Johnstone and I will look back on 99% of my time there as being positive. But the end left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“I felt I was undervalued and after speaking to Dundee United I realised how much they wanted me in comparison.
“Wright was adamant he wanted me to stay. I feel like I was forced out of the club by the chairman.
“I felt I was a part of a successful side and the manager was desperate to keep me. So to be offered a 35% wage cut was a slap in the face.
“It would be for anyone in any job. That sent a message the chairman didn’t fancy me. I even went back and said I would take 15% as I wanted to stay there.”