Liam Keogh believes the best is yet to come from Aberdeen ace Jonny Hayes who looks set to make a summer move to Celtic.
Keogh coached Hayes when he was a youngster at Irish outfit Cherry Orchard, and he has followed his career ever since.
Hayes now looks to be making the biggest move of his career, with a reported £1.3m switch from Aberdeen to Celtic, and Keogh is backing his former pupil to succeed.
“I watched him a lot for Aberdeen and he always seemed to do really well in the big games, especially against Celtic,” he told the Scottish Sun.
“I’m sure he will play an even bigger role now he’s at Celtic. He’ll hopefully get the chance to play Champions League games. That can only help his international chances.
“I’ve followed his career all the way and I think Jonny is now playing his best stuff. Aberdeen was a great move for him after Inverness but I think Brendan will take him to the next level at Celtic.”
This comes after a previous Scottish Sun report claimed Celtic have had a £1.3million bid for the 29-year-old wide-man accepted by Aberdeen.
Meanwhile, the Daily Express reported Hayes was ready to fly back from international duty to push through a deal, after the Hoops tabled the £1.3million offer.
The right-sided midfielder was one of Aberdeen’s top performers last term, providing a sensational 24 assists in 44 league and cup games, as well as netting 11 goals.
Hayes arrived at Pittodrie in the summer of 2012 from Inverness and he has since made 207 appearances in all competitions, which have yielded 71 assists and 30 goals.
He has been capped by the Republic of Ireland on four occasions, and he was an unused substitute in his nation’s 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Austria last week.