Hayes One Of Our Own

Jonny Hayes on appreciating recent successes, the virtues of squad fitness, and Scott Brown’s 24/7 personality

- Joe Donnelly

FOLLOWING his Man-of-the-Match performance against Motherwell this month, Jonny Hayes hailed the fitness levels of a side on form. He described Scott Brown as the club’s own Benjamin Button, and suggested performances like the Hoops’ history-making win over Lazio in Rome – in which Olivier Ntcham scored the winner five minutes into second-half injury time – are a direct reflection of the fine condition of the squad.

At 32-years-old, Hayes is one of the Scottish champions’ most experienced stars, yet shows little sign of slowing down on and off the pitch. Considered one of the fittest players at previous club Aberdeen, the Irishman carried his work-rate into the Celtic’s Lennoxtown training facility, and is continually impressed by the efforts of club captain, Button, rather, Brown, season after season.

“At Aberdeen, we cross-checked our GPS numbers after games, and it wasn’t uncommon for myself, Graeme Shinnie, Ryan Jack and Kenny McLean all to be up there,” said Hayes in exclusive interview with the Celtic View. “We had some decent runners in the squad at the time, and we’d often run together, so during the likes of pre-season, we kept each other on our toes. When I moved down here… I wouldn’t say I was shocked, but it was a bit of an eye-opener. It felt like the fitness level jumped up a little bit again – which isn’t to say people like Shinnie or Jack couldn’t keep up here, but, as a squad, everyone here seemed to be well looked after.

“I think the fitness regime was pretty much overhauled when Brendan Rodgers came in, and that’s obviously carried over into Neil’s return as gaffer. Everyone works so hard on their fitness, week in, week out there, which is why we see that reflected on the pitch.