Sead Hakšabanović has to show more to prove he’s worth a regular start in Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side…

Sead Hakšabanović was a very shrewd signing by Ange Postecoglou. The Montenegro international was snapped up from Russian side Rubin Kazan back in August.

Sead is a talented player and has shown glimpses of the skill he possesses on more than a few occasions since signing for the hoops. Scoring five goals and providing four assists in 34 games. He’s got a reputation of being something of an impact player, and it’s easy to see why despite three of his five goals coming from games he’s started in.

He’s made most of his appearances from the bench this season and is clearly behind Diazen Maeda and Jota in the pecking order for a starting berth. There’s no shame in that as they are very talented players. Liel Abada has also faced the same predicament this term.

Photo Steve Welsh

Sead Hakšabanović to his credit hasn’t sulked as some players tend to, and has been patient as he’s bided his time for a run in the side. Recent injuries to Liel Abada and Jota handed him the chance to highlight his case to be a regular in the starting XI as he was handed consecutive starts against Kilmarnock and Motherwell.

He didn’t do that badly, but didn’t show enough to suggest he warranted a regular starting berth. He was non-existent in the Motherwell game, but to be fair so was just about everyone else. But that is the sort of game he should have been bursting a gut to prove his worth. The game was crying out for a bit of creativity and inventiveness, something Hakšabanović is more than capable of, he’s a talented player that’s for sure. But frustratingly, he failed to grab the opportunity.

Sead Hakšabanović fights for the ball with Real Madrid’s French defender Ferland Mendy during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Celtic at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on November 2, 2022. (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)

He has shown he has the talent, he has the skill, he can score goals. He’s a great player but he must take the chance to shine when he gets it. The competition is too intense at Celtic for him to pass up such opportunities.

If he wants a regular starting spot he’s got to grab the chance to shine and give Ange Postecoglou more food for thought.

JustAnOrdinaryBhoy – follow on Twitter @ordinarybhoy

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