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19th June 2017
10:35pm BST

And having impressed throughout the full campaign for Aberdeen, Hayes was always going to be in high demand once the transfer window opened.
The subject of interest from Cardiff City, Birmingham and Nottingham Forest, Hayes admitted that his relationship with Rodgers made his next destination a no-brainer when he discovered that the Glasgow side wanted to bring him on board.
"As soon as Aberdeen gave Celtic permission, I spoke to Brendan and within 30 seconds I knew I wanted to come," Hayes continued.
"I knew there might be a chance I was going down to England. My agent Barry Hughes had set a few things up for me and I could have gone.
"But as soon as Celtic became involved it was the only place I wanted to come.
"My heart was set on Celtic from the minute I spoke to the manager.
"He’s infectious. I’d been waiting all day for the phone call.
"It was about six or seven at night when he finally called, I don’t think I’d spoken a word in that first 30 seconds other than ‘hello’ and I was sold.
"He’s fantastic to work for. It’s a long time since I worked with him at Reading but there are a lot of other major factors in me wanting to come here.
"There’s the size of the club, the chance to play out there in front of 55,000 every week, the chance to play in the Champions League.
"So many things that when you put it together, you realise it’s the complete package."Explore more on these topics: