Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes midfielder Jonny Hayes is one of the best in Scotland.
The former Caley Thistle midfielder has been at the heart of the Dons’ rise in the Scottish Premiership table this month and his manager believes there are few better.
McInnes said: “When he gets a head of steam up and gets running at people Jonny is as good as anybody. He also makes good decisions.
“He does his defensive work and is giving us assists and creating at the other end and we’re delighted with him.
“He is just a pleasure to work with. He is a real competitor, a hardy player who loves his training and is a very good team-mate.”
It is not just Hayes’ form which is pleasing the Dons manager, but also his willingness and ability to contribute from any area of the pitch which is providing the most satisfaction.
McInnes said: “He got man of the match as a left back against Partick Thistle and again against Dundee as a left midfielder.
“I’ve always thought he could play in a central role, but because he is so good in the wider area he does find himself out there on occasion.
“Wherever we ask him to play he always produces a high level of performance and he should be pleased with himself as he looks as fit and strong as he has been in his career.”
With the Dons four points off the pace set by champions Celtic, supporters are daring to dream of their side catching Ronny Deila’s side in the second half of the season.
McInnes is pleased by progress but his season-long mantra has not changed – the title remains Celtic’s to lose.
He said: “What is pleasing for Dundee United, Caley Thistle, Hamilton and ourselves is we are still up there at the minute.
“We are all striving for consistency of performance and results and improvement.
“We’re two points better off than this stage last season while Accies, United and Caley Thistle have all improved too, but it’s a fact only one team can lose the title and we’re all trying to get closer to them.
“We are four points better off than we were last season and we have all got to be happy with that.
“I can only speak for my own team and all we can do is try to knuckle down and keep producing that level of performance.
“We’ve done it despite injuries, but we’re only halfway through the season. We want to beat last season’s tally and if we do we will see where that takes us.”