Sead Haksabanovic was just in the door at Celtic Park as the club’s new number 9 when he heard that he’ll be heading to Madrid to take on the Champions of Europe in the Champions League. A dream move and a brilliant Champions League draw before the ink on his five year contract with Celtic has had time to dry, the new Bhoy must be buzzing.
Here’s what he had to say yesterday afternoon in his traditional ‘Welcome to Celtic’ interview with Celtic TV. This probably didn’t get our full attention yesterday as matters quickly switched to the draw with Celtic being paired with holders Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Hopefully we’ll get a chance to see Haksabanovic in action on Sunday up at Tannadice, maybe coming off the bench?
Celtic TV: Sead, welcome to Celtic. How does it feel to be sitting here as an official Celtic player?
Sead Haksabanovic: “It feels amazing. What I know about Celtic is so many good things. I am very happy to be here.”
Celtic TV: When did you hear about Celtic’s interest, and what was your initial reaction when you heard they wanted to sign you?
Sead Haksabanovic: “I first heard about it a month ago. As soon as I heard they wanted me, I said to my agent ‘you have to make that happen as that is where I want to play.'”
Celtic TV: What is it about the club that made you want to sign?
Sead Haksabanovic: “It is just an amazing club. Good history, good fans and good players. I have been watching some games, and I think the team plays my style. I have been speaking to the guys as well, and we had a really good chat.”
Celtic TV: What was your conversation like with the manager, and what did he say to get you to sign for Celtic?
Sead Haksabanovic: “We just spoke about how he sees me as a player and how he wants me to fit into his system. Everything sounded good, so that was it for me.”
Celtic TV: You are the first player from Montenegro to play for Celtic. However, you were born and played in Sweden. It is a country that has a lot of links with the club. What do you know about Celtic’s past?
Sead Haksabanovic: “I know that Henrik Larsson is a big legend here, and I know his son very well. Hopefully, I can do something like him on the pitch. It is going to be very hard to achieve what he has done, but I am going to try my best.”
Celtic TV: You signed from Rubin Kazan, a club at which you spent a little time with Carl Starfelt. Is he someone you spoke with before signing for Celtic?
Sead Haksabanovic: “He had seen I was linked with Celtic, so he wrote to me. He said, ‘how is it going and this and that.’ I did not want to tell him too much. He only told me good things about the club.”
Celtic TV: It must be nice to come to a club where you know some familiar faces?
Sead Haksabanovic: “Yeah, I know Joe Hart, who I played with at West Ham. I know Carl and Ajeti as well.”
⭐️ Moritz Jenz: I can't wait to hear the noise of Celtic Park on @ChampionsLeague nights 🪩#UCL | #COYBIG🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 25, 2022
