Sead Hakšabanović believes Celtic can defeat RB Leipzig at Paradise on Tuesday night despite the absence of the inspirational skipper Callum McGregor.
Hakšabanović played a crucial role in yesterday’s 2-1 victory over St Johnstone, as he slotted in a central attacking role, with the intent of creating chances like McGregor would. Hakšabanović is hopeful Celtic will be able to defeat Leipzig without McGregor as he steps into his shoes. As Reported by The Herald, the Celtic star outlined his reasoning for such optimism.
“He (Calmac) is a big piece of the team, outside and inside the pitch, but I know he is going to be there for us. He will be there to cheer us, but we have to show we can play without him as well,” Hakšabanović stated.
“I’d say we can win. One hundred per cent. We are playing at home, the fans are going to give us that amazing atmosphere and it is going to feel so good. If we go out and give one hundred per cent and believe in ourselves, we have a chance. We made chances in Germany, so we are capable.”
Sead Hakšabanović also mentioned his own frustration with the lack of ruthlessness from the Celtic side at the moment, which is becoming a worrying trend in recent weeks. He said that the team are making chances, and will continue to do so, but the Bhoys now need to work on their finishing. Speaking after the dramatic 2-1 win at McDiarmid Park yesterday the Montenegro international star reflected on this.
“It would have been extremely frustrating if we hadn’t won because we had a lot of chances that we didn’t score from. That last goal made us feel joy and relief. We always go out there to play and take three points and the main thing is that we did that today.”
“After training, though, we need to stay and do extra on shooting and finishing. No matter who we play, we feel we are going to make chances, but I think we should have made this game 3-0 earlier and then just play it out.
“You have to be really clinical at the Champions League level. That is why I am saying we maybe have to stay behind in training. All of us. We need to focus on finishing and everything like that, so that when we do get chances, we are 100 per cent that we are going to score.”
