Jonny Hayes' emotional Aberdeen FC goodbye almost too much for Dante Polvara as American opens up on Livi sitter

Dante Polvara admitted he was almost in tears as an emotional Jonny Hayes said his Pittodrie playing farewell.

The legendary Irishman was given the captain’s armband as he came on as a late sub and was then given a guard of honour from the Aberdeen players as he left the pitch. Hayes, who had two playing spells at Aberdeen, with a stint at Celtic sandwiched in between, is set to hang up his boots and embark on his coaching career full-time.

The Irishman has options of roles with Celtic, Swansea City and the Dons. Polvara admitted: "Obviously for Jonny and what he's done for me personally it's sad and I nearly started crying when we gave him the guard of honour. I was like "come on man, you're going to make me tear up" as we've been through a lot together. Cause with him going and with the others' contract situation I'll be one of the longest serving players still here.

"That's crazy to think about but I guess I've stuck around somehow but that's the reality of football. I'll be excited for them whatever is next and especially for them you want to end well. You don't want to go away with that bitter feeling.”

The likes of Connor Barron, Kelle Roos and Junior Hoilett are all out of contract while Stefan Gartenmann’s loan spell from Midtjylland is set to expire. Whatever happens the Dons squad will want to have one final dance and finish off the season with five straight wins when they head to relegation-threatened Ross County on Sunday.

New manager Jimmy Thelin will take over from Peter Leven in the summer. Polvara is already staking his claim that he is now ready to become a regular first-team pick. He has been a regular in the bottom six fixtures and has netted twice in as many games.

The 23-year-old was relieved