Sead Haksabanovic was signed by Celtic in the summer from Rubin Kazan for a transfer fee believed to be around €2 million and he could very well turn out to be the bargain signing of the season. After a slow start, due to a lack of match fitness, the Montenegro international has come into his own in recent weeks and is starting to make his mark on Ange Postecoglou’s team.
Haksabanovic recently scored a brace in the game against Dundee United, breaking his duck in front of goal for Celtic.
Even more impressive than his output have been his performances, as he has shined with his overall play even at the Champions League level and looks like a class apart when on song.
There was some controversy surrounding him recently though. Postecoglou had mentioned how players who were not going to the World Cup would head to Australia with Celtic to take part in the Sydney Super Cup. Yet, Haksabanovic was named in the Montenegro national team’s squad.
Celtic boss explains controversy surrounding Haksabanovic
As reported by 67 Hail Hail, while speaking about the Haksabanovic situation in a media conference on Celtic’s Official YouTube channel, Postecoglou said:
"“There’s no situation. Everyone who isn’t going to the World Cup is going to Australia with us. It’s not an issue. I know people are trying to make it an issue but it’s not an issue.“It’s not a designated international window. FIFA have allowed clubs to make their own decisions and we’ve made our decision as a club. I don’t need to discuss it with anyone. That’s the decision that’s been made.“Anyone who is not going to the World Cup will be with us in Australia.”"
Thus, it looks like Haksabanovic will be heading to Australia with the Celtic squad to take part in the Sydney Super Cup. Of course, the likes of Josip Juranovic, Aaron Mooy, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Daizen Maeda are not going, due to winning places in World Cup squads of their respective nations.
The Sydney Super Cup has been hyped up a lot and is without doubt very important for the club, with a glamour friendly against Frank Lampard’s Everton side set to be played.
With Celtic’s growth in popularity in Australia since the arrival of Postecoglou as manager as well, it is not hard to understand why they want to put on a show for the people there by taking the best team possible.