Jonny Hayes might leave Celtic after just one season, with reports saying Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen are keen as well as Preston North End.

One year after Celtic paid £1.3 million to land Jonny Hayes after a prolonged transfer saga, the Republic of Ireland international could already be on his way out of Parkhead.

Celtic looked to have pulled off a coup when they signed Hayes in 2017 after he enjoyed a fine season with Aberdeen. The goal-scoring winger helped the Dons finish second and reach the Scottish Cup final, in which he scored before Celtic went on to win 2-1, and was even the only non-Hoops player nominated for the league’s Player of the Year award.

But the form of Scott Sinclair, Patrick Roberts and James Forrest meant Hayes really struggled for game-time at Celtic. The 30-year-old started just six league games before suffering a broken leg in January which ended his season prematurely.

And, with his route back into the first-team looking far from clear, particularly now Lewis Morgan has arrived, the Express (22 June, page 58) reports that Preston North End are weighing up a bid to sign Hayes on loan with the option of a permanent deal.

Interestingly, the report adds that Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is also interested in bringing Hayes back to Pittodrie, just one year after he departed. You could hardly blame Hayes for being tempted by the chance to return to the club where he enjoyed the best spell of his career.

And Celtic surely should not stand in his way.

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