McGinn concerned over future of Hayes

Aberdeen midfielder Niall McGinn hopes the Dons head to Celtic Park tomorrow with Jonny Hayes still in the squad.

Dons supporters face an anxious wait on the final day of the transfer window as clubs continue to circle Pittodrie.

Cardiff City have submitted a third bid for Irish international Hayes.

Aberdeen have already knocked back two £500,000 bids for the 29-year-old, with manager Derek McInnes urging Cardiff to get serious if they really want the attacker.

The Bluebirds have reportedly responded by making a third offer of £600,000 for Hayes, who trained with his team-mates at Pittodrie yesterday. It is unlikely to be accepted. Meanwhile, English League Two side Carlisle United have also been linked with a deadline-day move for Dons attacker Jayden Stockley, who has not featured in the last five matches for the club.

However, it is the immediate future of Hayes which is of most concern to the Dons support.

His team-mate and close friend McGinn knows Aberdeen will have a better chance of inflicting a first domestic defeat of the season on Celtic tomorrow with Hayes in the team.

He said: “Jonny has teams interested in him and I’m not surprised because he’s probably been our best player for the last 18 months.

“To have him here for the rest of the season would be a massive boost for us because you can see from his performances how important he is.”

Aberdeen have not won a league match at Celtic Park since John Stewart netted a last-minute winner in a 3-2 victory in October 2004.

The Hoops are unbeaten in 27 domestic games this season and eclipsed the 1966-67 record achieved by Jock Stein’s Lisbon Lions with a 4-0 win against Hearts on Sunday.

McGinn added: “We know how tough it’s going to be against Celtic because they are flying at the top of the league.

“But we have to take confidence from the last five games and we’ve kept a few clean sheets.”

Niall McGinn: hopes the Dons can hang on to his friend.