FANS MUST APPRECIATE JONNY, SAYS McINNES

IT WAS only last Friday night that Derek McInnes feared he was writing Jonny Hayes’ name on the Aberdeen team sheet for the final time. When the talismanic winger was eventually replaced by Ryan Christie in the 82nd minute, having already played his part in a resounding 3-0 victory over Dundee at Pittodrie, more than a few Dons fans would also have gulped hard at the prospect of never seeing him in a red shirt again. What a difference a week makes. Not only did suitors Cardiff City ultimately fail to prise him away before the transfer window slammed shut, it appears that the Republic of Ireland international is ready to sign a new contract that will keep him in the Granite City until the summer of 2019. Naturally, McInnes will not relax until the formalities are complete, but his aim has always been to see 29-year-old Hayes follow the lead of Adam Rooney and — more recently — Graeme Shinnie, who have agreed similar deals with the club. In the meantime, he wants the Dons supporters who turn out for the visit of Partick Thistle this afternoon to show, like their manager, just how relieved and delighted they are that the winger is still there to enhance their chances of success this season. ‘We’ve done something similar with Shinnie where we’ve tried to move ahead of that situation where they are in their last year. Jonny and one or two others are ongoing in talks about their contracts before they go into their last year,’ said McInnes. ‘I’m hopeful more will follow suit and follow Graeme Shinnie’s lead by committing to longer. ‘I think it’s a huge boost for us that we’ve managed to get Jonny to stay with us for now. ‘When I wrote the team sheet out for the game against Dundee, you are thinking: “Is this the last time that Jonny’s going to be with us?” ‘It was vitally important to us (that he stayed) and, hopefully, the supporters show that appreciation, certainly in Jonny’s case. ‘I’m sure they thought leaving the game, when Jonny was taken off against Dundee, that it might have been the last time they saw him. ‘We should be thankful and grateful that the supporters are going to see Jonny Hayes running out again against Partick Thistle and doing his business for us. ‘I think it’s important we all take a minute to realise that and the importance of keeping our good players, the Shinnies, the Hayes.’ That said, even the presence of Hayes in the starting line-up couldn’t prevent Aberdeen suffering 24 league defeats in a row at Celtic Park in midweek. At least Rangers’ heavy loss at Tynecastle the same night meant no loss of ground in the race for second place. ‘From my point of view, we recognise we’re in a battle for second spot to try to make sure we’re involved in Europe again next year with three other teams,’ said McInnes. ‘It seems to be against St Johnstone, Hearts and Rangers — and it’s probably what we expected at the start of the season. ‘My concern is only to make sure we’re right in the mix.’