david_smith
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on Jonny Hayes after his impressive cameo against Shamrock Rovers.
The Irish international – who recently joined the Bhoys from Aberdeen for £1.5 million – came off the bench to score in a 9-0 rout at the Tallaght Stadium.
Rodgers is familiar with the 29 year old Dubliner, having worked with Hayes as a youth player in Reading, and the Celtic manager says Hayes has settled very well at the club, and claims the winger will make a big contribution to the Scottish champions, who were unbeaten in the SPL last season.
“When you’re an attacking player and come to your new club it’s important to get off the mark early,†the former Liverpool boss told Celtic TV.
“He has settled in very well off the field. He is a good guy, a mature guy, and he has mixed in really well over the last couple of weeks.
“We don’t need to rush him but he’s going to make a big contribution to the squad and you saw that today in the half hour he was on, when he showed his pace and his crossing ability. He has an eye for a goal.
“He got his goal and that will make him happy and he can continue to build on that throughout the season.â€
Celtic travel to Linfied for a Champions League qualifier on Friday, and it could be a long night for the hosts in Belfast if the Bhoys carry their form into the tie.
