Jonny Hayes has returned to Celtic this summer, joining up with the club’s B team as a coach.
Previously with Aberdeen, the Irishman hung up his boots this summer to end a prosperous playing career which included three solid years in Glasgow’s east end.
Hayes was a useful squad player throughout his time at Parkhead and is predominantly remembered for his goal at Ibrox which sealed a 2-0 Glasgow derby win in 2019.
The club not renewing his contract ahead of the Covid season can be seen as somewhat of a mistake, but hindsight is weird yet wonderful.
Now back at Celtic in a coaching capacity, Hayes’ arrival has been hailed by B team boss Stephen McManus.
“Jonny came in and he’s been a breath of fresh air”, he said (Celtic FC B on X).
“He just recently retired so he knew that he was wanting to go down the coaching route.
“He’s thoroughly enjoying it and he’s added real value to the coaching staff. Sometimes a different pair of eyes, a different voice really enhances the players’ development.”
Celtic’s B side kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win over Cumbernauld Colts in the Lowland League last Friday night.
Daniel Kelly got the winner amid his exclusion from the first-team.
Brendan Rodgers stood firm with the midfielder, who is in the last six months of his Hoops deal.
It doesn’t look like his future lies in Glasgow, but stranger turnarounds have happened in football.
