Chris Sutton is puzzled by Celtic’s interest in Jonny Hayes.
Talks seem to be at an advanced stage to bring the Dubliner to Celtic Park with Ryan Christie’s involvement the stumbling block.
While Aberdeen want the midfielder on a permanent basis it seems that factor isn’t up for negotiation at the Celtic end.
Hayes is without doubt one of the most effective players in the Scottish game. He has bags of skill, works his socks off and knows his way around goal.
The drawback is his age and Celtic’s Champions League ambitions. With all respect, perhaps with the exception of Lubo Moravcik, most Champions League players are discovered before their 30th birthday.
Expressing the views of many Celtic fans Sutton explained in the Daily Record: “Now I have to make it clear, I like Hayes. He has had a great season. While I wouldn’t say he has carried Aberdeen at times they are certainly not the same team without him in it.
“So in terms of weakening the opposition in Scotland it would be a significant signing if they complete the £1.2m deal reported to be in the pipeline but in terms of strengthening Celtic for the step up to the next level in European football, I’m not so sure.
“That they are contemplating Hayes at all suggests that Patrick Roberts isn’t coming back.
“That’s a loss because he offers something the other wide players in Celtic’s squad don’t.
“Hayes is more in the mould of James Forrest and Scott Sinclair in the sense they bring a lot of pace – but Roberts is a different type in the way he plays.
“When it comes to seeing a pass and executing it, Roberts offers more and he has a great ability to beat players in tight situations.
“So I wonder whether Rodgers would prefer something more of his ilk. Hayes is not a like-for-like replacement because he doesn’t have the same attributes.
“Of course having transformed the careers of Stuart Armstrong and Callum McGregor this term, Rodgers has every right to believe he could get more out of Hayes to take his game to new levels.”
Hayes has joined up with the Ireland squad in Dublin for Sunday’s friendly against Uruguay ahead of the vital World Cup qualifier against Austria next week.