---
title: "Celtic: Fans unhappy with Jonny Hayes starting over Greg Taylor at left-back"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-fans-unhappy-with-jonny-hayes-starting-over-greg-taylor-at-left-back/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2019-12-19T16:20:25Z"
modified: "2019-12-19T16:20:25Z"
---

# Celtic: Fans unhappy with Jonny Hayes starting over Greg Taylor at left-back

**A lot of Celtic fans were left querying one aspect of Neil Lennon’s team selection ahead of their match on Wednesday night.**

The Hoops’ official Twitter channel [@CelticFC](https://twitter.com/CelticFC/status/1207367514973515777) revealed the starting XI for the trip to Tynecastle 75 minutes before kick-off, with the left-back selection a talking point among many supporters.

https://twitter.com/CelticFC/status/1207367514973515777

With [Boli Bolingoli omitted](https://www.skysports.com/football/hearts-vs-celtic/teams/411288) after only [recently returning from injury](https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/18104157.boli-bolingoli-admits-90-minutes-hibs-important-celtic-injury-lay-off/), Jonny Hayes was given the nod to [start at left-back](https://www.skysports.com/football/hearts-vs-celtic/teams/411288), with Greg Taylor [named among the substitutes](https://www.skysports.com/football/hearts-vs-celtic/teams/411288) as Celtic proceeded to defeat Hearts 2-0.

Hayes has now made [five starts at left-back this season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jonny-hayes/leistungsdaten/spieler/52380), although the Republic of Ireland international has [played as a wide midfielder or winger](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jonny-hayes/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/52380) for the majority of his career.

\[freshpress-poll id=”268148″\]

Meanwhile, Taylor is a [natural left-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/greg-taylor/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/362562) who was [signed from Kilmarnock on deadline day](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49558521) in September but has so far struggled for minutes at Celtic, making just [five appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/greg-taylor/leistungsdaten/spieler/362562) since his move to Parkhead.

These Hoops fans on Twitter were not best pleased with Hayes being selected ahead of Taylor for the left-back slot when they saw the starting line-up:

> Oh my days… Why does Lennon persist with starting Hayes ahead of a very talented natural LB.
>
> Who’s on the left wing then? Who’s been moved out of their natural position to cover LW
>
> Rather have Hayes LW and Taylor LB..
>
> Shoehorning players in has hurt us many times.
>
> — Keith Robertson (@Krobertson5808) [December 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/Krobertson5808/status/1207371553429700609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Taylors a LB just play him – balance the team! Brown/Ntcham & Mcgregor never works
>
> — Andy McKenzie (@andymckenzie7) [December 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/andymckenzie7/status/1207368422646005761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> What does Taylor have to do to get a run in the team he’s already shown he’s better than Hayes and given a run he will show he’s better than boli aswel
>
> — danny (@imortalcelt) [December 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/imortalcelt/status/1207372521210810370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Knew we would regret not signing Taylor as a back up left back…
>
> — seanzolio (@seanzolio) [December 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/seanzolio/status/1207369094430908417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Thankfully no Boligoli but why isn’t Taylor playing he’s the best left back at the club by a country mile! Hayes is even worse than Boligoli!!! Cmon Bhoys lets get the 3 points.
>
> — (@7govscott) [December 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/7govscott/status/1207368512962023424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Why is Hayes playing ahead of an actual left back
>
> — steven (@Beaumontbhoy) [December 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/Beaumontbhoy/status/1207368513188507648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Johnny Hayes. He’s done ok but Taylor every day for me.
>
> — John Duncan (@jlduncan1980) [December 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/jlduncan1980/status/1207381961800605696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Hayes over an acc lb??
>
> — Max Watt (@maxwattt) [December 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/maxwattt/status/1207367797866668032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***Do you think Taylor should have started instead of Hayes against Hearts? How did you rate Hayes’ performance on the night? Comment below with your views!***