Jonny Hayes has no regrets as he announces move into coaching

“The time has come for me to end my playing days, but what a journey it has been. I never expected there to be so many highs and lows and yet I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Dublin-born Hayes, who won four international caps, started his career with Reading and also had spells with Forest Green Rovers, MK Dons, Leicester City, Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

He won the Scottish First Division with Caley Thistle before amassing 352 appearances for Aberdeen, with a three-year stint with Celtic in between, winning three Premiership titles, two Scottish Cup and two League Cup medals with the latter.

Hayes also lifted the League Cup with Aberdeen in 2014 but last season played only 21 times, 11 of them starts.

“Thankfully, I have had time over the last few years to prepare for my next chapter in football and coaching is something I am really looking forward to,” he says.

Hayes concentrates on thanking former managers, team-mates, fans and his family for their support down the years.

“I have had the privilege of being part of some terrific changing rooms and learned from managers who taught me how to be a better footballer as well as a better person,” he says.

“A four-year-old with inflatable goals whose parents never missed a game, worked extra shifts to buy me the latest football boots. They could never have imagined this.

“I will be forever indebted to them for the sacrifices they made. I like to think my work ethic is the least I took from them.”

In a message for fellow players, he adds: “Treat every single training session like it’s your last, because one day it will be.”