Departing Dons was not on the agenda for loyal Hayes
JONNY HAYES’ loyalty to manager Derek McInnes and his Aberdeen ‘agenda’ was the reason he was happy to commit his future to the Pittodrie club.
The Irish winger extended his contract at Aberdeen until 2019 — knocking back a lucrative move to English Championship side Cardiff in the process.
Hayes insists money has never been his major motivation, however, and the chance to repay the faith McInnes has shown him since taking over four years ago was the single driving factor.
‘The manager is good to the boys and there is a bit of loyalty in return,’ said Hayes. ‘He broke precedent a few years ago when he handed out two or three-year contracts when other clubs were downsizing.
‘He deserves that bit of loyalty with us staying and the manager has always said to me he has an agenda as to what he wants to do at Aberdeen.
‘When I spoke to him before I signed the last time, I asked him how long he was staying. He said he had another contract for a couple of years and he fully intends to see it out.
‘I said: “If you are staying, then I am too”. A lot of players are like that and he is one of the reasons why I have signed for the club. Also, I am not really one for moving next door for an extra pound. I am quite happy in Aberdeen.
‘My missus has started up a little business and the wee man is at pre-school now, so there was never any urgency on my behalf to move.
‘I was never unsettled (by the Cardiff bids) because the manager kept me up to speed with everything.’
With Hayes, Adam Rooney and Graeme Shinnie all agreeing new deals recently, the feelgood factor around Pittodrie remains and would only be enhanced should silverware in the shape of the Scottish Cup trophy head north at the end of the season. So far, Hayes has just one winners medal, from the 2014 League Cup Final, but even that victory over former club Inverness Caley Thistle was a bitter-sweet experience as he was forced off in the opening minutes with a shoulder injury. Hayes added: ‘I think back to the year we won the League Cup as that injury meant missing out on the Scottish Cup semi-final to St Johnstone. ‘We were winning 1-0 and I was almost saying to myself I hope I get fit for the final and then Stevie May scored a couple of goals and we went out. ‘Since then I have wanted to play in the Scottish Cup Final and win it. Hibs won it last season and one of my mate’s brothers is a big Hibs fan and I hear about it every single day. ‘He says it was the best day of his life. Little things like that stick with you and how much it means to people. I have always said I wanted to add to that League Cup win and so far we haven’t. ‘We get to play in European games and the objective there is to do better again. We have had some unfortunate ties in Europe and that is another reason why I want to stay here.’ Hayes expects Aberdeen’s Cup ambitions to be tested to the full at Dingwall tomorrow against a Ross County side who beat them earlier in the season. ‘We lost last time we were up there,’ he recalled. ‘We should have got something but it is a tough place, totally different from Pittodrie. ‘It is more enclosed and is a tight pitch. ‘They are a better side than they are showing at the moment and will be dangerous on the day.’