Brendan Rodgers: Jonny Hayes will make big Celtic contribution

Brendan Rodgers reckons Celtic got a taste of things to come from Jonny Hayes after watching the Irishman open his Hoops account on Saturday.

Celtic's Jonny Hayes has been praised by Brendan Rodgers. Picture: SNS/Craig Foy

The £1.3million capture from Aberdeen netted his first goal for his new club during the 9-0 romp over Shamrock Rovers.

And the Hoops boss reckons the Dubliner showed plenty to be excited about on his return to his home city.

He told CelticTV: “When you’re an attacking player and come to your new club it’s important to get off the mark early.

“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.”