Celtic Tops The Lot

Jonny Hayes is now nearing double figures in the number of football shirts he has worn professionally - but now he is in Paradise in the Hoops

- Paul Cuddihy

IT is a special moment for every Celtic player when they walk into the dressing-room for their first competitive game with the club and see their jersey hanging up, emblazoned with their name and number.

There will be a sense of excitement and nervous anticipation, as well as an eagerness to see the minutes vanish into the ether and the time comes to line up alongside new team-mates before running out of the tunnel.

Jonny Hayes might have already pulled on the green and white Hoops in a number of pre-season friendlies since becoming the club’s first signing of the 2017 summer transfer window, but he’s already anticipating the moment when he sees ‘HAYES 15’ on the famous jersey and knows he will be less than an hour away from kick-off and the first of what he hopes will be many competitive appearances for the team.

In the picturesque surroundings of the countryside of Upper Austria, the Irishman took time out from the pre-season training camp to sit down with the Celtic View for his first major interview with the club magazine.

And he admitted that the magnitude of signing for the treble-winners was felt way beyond the confines of his own immediate family.

“You couldn’t get away from Celtic Football Club growing up in Ireland, and how big the club is, and the fanbase, which is worldwide,” Hayes told the View. “So to play in a jersey that I know a lot of my pals are buying back home just makes you think that little bit deeper about it.

“No matter where I’ve played I’ve always known the importance of the club I’ve played for, but I know now that it will mean a little bit more because of friends and family who are counting on me to do well for Celtic.