Confused Hayes says sorry as he finally joins Dons

Former Caley Thistle winger Jonny Hayes issued an apology on his first day at Pittodrie after finally putting pen to paper on a two-year deal with Aberdeen.

The 24-year-old completed his move to the Dons, which was announced by the club on May 30, and was eager to make amends for initially denying he was joining Aberdeen.

Hayes claims he was unaware his agent Des Byrne had agreed terms with the Pittodrie club when he was on holiday in Thailand and wanted the chance to inform his former club of his decision to leave Caledonian Stadium before it was made public.

He said: “It has taken so long because of me. I was lackadaisical by going out of the country without my mobile phone and I was only back for a day or two before I went on holiday.

“I told my agent I was happy to put my trust in him and he could take care of everything, but the first I knew of an announcement being made was when I read it online.

“I was confused and I felt it was disrespectful to talk about joining another club without first speaking to Terry Butcher at Inverness.

“Once I came back I met chief executive Duncan Fraser and the manager and I’m pleased to have cleared everything up.”

Hayes arrives at Pittodrie with a glowing reference from his new manager as Craig Brown believes the attacker encapsulates the creative qualities lacking at the club last season.

The Dubliner was keen to play down expectations, but hopes he can live up to the billing at his new club.