Celtic head to Livingston tomorrow looking for the win that will restore the Champions’ lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to four points after theRangers beat Aberdeen this afternoon in a match where that controversial combination of Nic Walsh and Steven McLean had no problem reaching a decision that it was a Penalty To theRangers…Tavernier missed it incidentally but they still won 4-1. Over to you Celtic…
Not long now pic.twitter.com/djHhCUhemZ
— GIGPOD🟢⚪️ (@gigpod) October 29, 2022
Sead Hakšabanović, was put up by Celtic yesterday on media duties and that’s usually an indication that the player will be starting. Having had plenty of experience playing on plastic surfaces in Sweden, even Livingston’s variety is unlikely to trouble the utility forward too much as he looks to get his own first goal for the club. Tomorrow would certainly be a good time to do it.
Here’s what Hakšabanović had to say ahead of the Livingston match…
Q: How are you feeling going into this weekend going to Livingston which is a tough place to go to after earning a point in the Champions League?
Sead Hakšabanović: “I think we are feeling good. We know what we have to do. We have to bring all the good stuff we did in the Champions League to the league. We need to try and keep our high intensity.”
Q: What can you take from playing top opposition in the Champions League?
Sead Hakšabanović: “I would say the most important thing is the intensity because that is the way the game is played in the Champions League. You need to be quick about what you are going to do with the ball, before you get the ball and when you have the ball. You need to think about where the spaces are, and we need to bring that to Sunday’s game. We have to do what we do every day in training during the game and finish off our chances and that will be good.”
Q: The manager has put a lot of faith in you early on in your Celtic career. What have you made of your time here so far? How many more levels do you have, and should the fans be excited because there is more to come from you?
Sead Hakšabanović: “I am very happy to have the chance to play in front of the fans of this club and everything. I’m here to take my chance, and I am not 100 per cent fully fit yet. I don’t feel that, and I still have some levels to reach. Hopefully, I can start helping the team with some points, assists and goals. I think I am playing well right now, and I just want to continue doing that and score some goals as well.”
Q: What is it like to play under the manager Ange Postecoglou and will he and your Celtic teammates help your game improve?
Sead Hakšabanović: “I think the way we play is perfect for me, and I need to come into this league and find my feet and get to know the players 100 per cent. I am still new here. I still have a little bit to go before I feel 100 per cent fit and in the team. I feel my teammates have my back and they are there for me and they fully believe in me and that feels good.”
Q: This Sunday will be Celtic’s ninth game this month and has it been difficult with the schedule having a game every three to four days?
Sead Hakšabanović: “It is different. I have done that before but not really like now. I am happy with that as every football player wants to play games instead of being on the training pitch all the time so games are better.
Q: Sunday will be your first trip to Livingston and it is a difficult plastic surface, have the players told you what to expect and is that something you have had to focus on?
Sead Hakšabanović: “No. They haven’t said so much as it is the same pitch for them. There are no excuses as we have to go there and we have to give 100 per cent for ourselves and for the team and we have to do what we do in training every day and every week and hopefully, that will be enough.”
Q: Sunday is your first trip to Livingston. The artificial surface is a difficult one. Is that something you have had to focus on, and have your teammates been preparing you for it?
Sead Hakšabanović: “No, they have not said that much because it is the same pitch for the opposition as well. There are no excuses. We have to give 100% for the team and do what we do in training every day.”
Q: Have you played on many plastic pitches before, and what are your thoughts on them?
Sead Hakšabanović: “I played on a lot of them in Sweden. What can I say, it is plastic grass, and I think football should be played on real grass.
Q: You have played a variety of positions. Do you have one preferred position, or are you happy to play wherever the manager wants you?
Sead Hakšabanović:“I can play anywhere. I am happy to play wherever and try to help the team with my performance. I just need some more games to get to 100% fitness.”
Q: How are the players reflecting on the Champions League campaign?
Sead Hakšabanović: “I think we performed well, but we are not happy with it. This is because the whole squad and I think we can get so much more. So many chances we can score in, and hopefully, in the future, we can prove we have learned from this.”
Watch Sead Hakšabanović’s Media Conference below…
