Other Goals To Aim For

Jonny Hayes really settled the recent derby at Ibrox, but the Irishman was already thinking about the next game.

- Tony Connelly

FOR Jonny Hayes, any time off during the international break offered him the chance to play a round or two of golf or put his feet up at home and reflect on his Ibrox goal. However, in a move typical of the Irishman, Hayes spent his free time being productive with double training sessions through in Edinburgh as part of his coaching licence.

It’s been over two weeks since Hayes scored Celtic’s second goal at Ibrox to round off a memorable Glasgow derby just before the international break.

Celtic fans no doubt enjoyed watching the goals on replay while they waited for the Scottish Premiership to return and, as an Irishman playing for Celtic, you would expect Hayes to still be on a high from the goal as the squad reunited ahead of the weekend’s game against Hamilton.

The 32-year-old couldn’t have been more level-headed when he reflected on the goal and sounded more like a supporter than the man who scored as he summed it up.

“I’m not sure how I sound or come across saying this but, for me, it was just a goal,” said Hayes. “It was done and dusted and the game was won and then that was it.

“I’ve seen all the reaction and had people coming up to me talking about an Irishman scoring at Ibrox, but I just see it as doing my job. I don’t look into it too much.

“My phone was non-stop after that and it took me a few days to get back to people. There were people I played with 10 years ago that were texting me or messaging me over Instagram which has been nice.

“All I was thinking about when I scored it was that’s the three points in the bag and the game done and dusted.