Jonny Hayes senses a window of opportunity

It’s a big week in the club career of Jonny Hayes, as he ponders his options, but the sight of a potential competitive Ireland debut against Austria is also occupying his thoughts.

Like many of his colleagues in the squad, the Dubliner has taken a circuitous trek to this stage and a looming 30th birthday has all the more motivated him to capitalise on his popularity.

Aberdeen, for whom he scored in last month’s Scottish FA Cup final defeat to Celtic, are resigned to lose their mercurial winger, despite him agreeing a new contract earlier this season until 2019.