OPINION
Celtic midfielder Jonny Hayes is surely knocking down Neil Lennon’s door in order to start more games after being a breath of fresh air in the 1-0 victory over Dundee.
The Hoops left it late to defeat Dundee on Sunday and that was due to the fact several players didn’t deliver a performance worthy of their ability.
Yet the same can’t be said for Hayes as he went the extra mile to ensure his side would be victorious.
The 31-year-old replaced Mikey Johnston in the 59th minute and his introduction was a key moment in the match as the midfielder was a game changer in the best possible sense.
Hayes used his pace to inject life into the match and into some of his struggling teammates and really forced the issue.
The midfielder will no doubt be causing some Dundee players to have sleepless nights after playing them as he constantly beat his opponents and blitzed past them in order to create a breakthrough.
It was clear once Hayes entered the field that he was head and shoulders above some of his teammates on Sunday as he made way more of an impact that Scott Sinclair or Johnston despite only playing 31 minutes of the match.
Sunday’s clash with Dundee was the first time Lennon had opted to use Hayes, he previously left him on the bench for the matches with Hearts and Aberdeen, and will now see what a positive impact the player can have.
The 31-year-old was sparingly used by Brendan Rodgers this season before the manager’s exit but it’s clear Hayes has done enough in his cameo outings this season to be starting more games.
Especially when his teammates are struggling for form.
Given that Hayes probably wants to be starting more games then surely he is about to get his wish as there’s no way Lennon can keep him out of the starting line-up based on his latest display.