Sead Hakšabanović – “He was brilliant. He has got that quality,” Ange Postecoglou

If last night’s Scottish Premiership encounter between Celtic and Hearts was any kind of indicator, Sunday’s Scottish Cup visit to Tynecastle is going to be a cracker.

Too often in Scottish football the opposition are beaten by the time they get off the team bus, so credit where it’s due, Hearts are one of only a couple of teams – St Mirren being the other – who have come to Celtic Park and produced a gameplan that gave the Hoops food for thought – and it made for a competitive fixture.

Josh Ginnelly celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Hearts at Celtic Park on March 08, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Perhaps Hearts couldn’t sustain their form after Kyogo put Celtic in front, but prior to that there was enough offered from the Edinburgh club to suggest Sunday’s Scottish Cup Quarter final is going to arguably be Celtic’s biggest single challenge to lifting a Treble this season.

And if we are going to find a way to win in a hostile atmosphere, on a tight pitch and against a side who will have been emboldened by their performance in Glasgow last night, then Celtic will have to utilise the talents of Kyogo more effectively than we did last night.

Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates after he scores his team’s second goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Heart of Midlothian at on March 08, 2023.. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Japanese striker set up the equaliser and grabbed the goal which put Celtic in front, but all too often last night his tireless running off the ball and his ability to find space in extremely tight areas wasn’t matched by the supply.

Post-match, that is something Ange Postecoglou commented on last night in his BBC interview. And it was clear there was certainly an element of annoyance in the Celtic manager’s words, possibly even exasperation, as Postecoglou pointed out Kyogo simply deserves more ammunition from Celtic’s supporting cast –

“He’s been unbelievable for this club,” the Celtic manager stated. “We didn’t use him well at all. He makes fantastic runs and sometimes I get really frustrated that after 18-20 months we still don’t see them.

“The beauty of it is he doesn’t get frustrated; he just keeps making those runs. He was an outstanding contributor again.”

Kyogo was outstanding as the manager states, and he’s also been in a consistent run of form for some time now. Last night was his 25th goal of the season, yet he himself must wonder just how many he could score if he could be found by his teammates more often.

Celtic may not have been at their flowing best last night but as ever they showed belief in their football, even when going behind to Josh Ginnelly’s first half goal. All three of Celtic’s goals were top class, although Maeda’s opener, brave finish as it was, may have come at a cost, with our Japanese international leaving the field injured and likely now a doubt for the visit to Tynecastle on Sunday.

Sead Hakšabanović scores Celtic’s thrid goal against Hearts

However, one person’s misfortune is another’s gain and Sead Hakšabanović must now fancy his chances of a starting spot for the Scottish Cup fixture, after once more coming off the bench to emphasise Celtic’s attacking strength in depth.

And if Ange Postecoglou’s praise for his forward is anything to go by, Sead’s beautiful curling goal which put Celtic out of sight last night, must point to the Montenegrin’s inclusion in the team come Saturday lunchtime.

“He was brilliant. He has got that quality. He hasn’t had a real extended run in the team for a number of reasons. Every time he has been called upon, he has been excellent. He has a great attitude at training and it was great for him to get a reward. He is another player who can give us more….and he will,” Ange Postecoglou said. 

Sead Hakšabanović celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on March 08, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It will be on to Scottish Cup action for the Hoops this weekend, but despite a tough challenge from Hearts last night, it’s Celtic who took another step towards retaining the league title last night.

Just seven more wins needed now and the green and white ribbons will be back on the Scottish Premiership trophy, and hard-fought wins like last night show this team is more than capable of doing just that.

Niall J

Matthew Marr’s debut Celtic book – ‘The BOULD BHOYS – Glory to their name’ comes out on to Friday 24 March. Thanks to everyone who has ordered since we announced the book on Monday evening via an interview with the author. Please note that all pre-ordered books will be personally signed by Matthew Marr and you can order below if you’d like a signed copy posted out to you 24 March.

READ THIS...‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ by Matthew Marr

About Author

As a Bellshill Bhoy I was taken to my first Celtic game in the summer of 1987. It was Billy McNeill’s return to Celtic Park as manager and Celtic lost 5-1 to Arsenal . I thought I was a jinx, I think my Grandfather might have thought the same. It was the finest gift anyone ever gave me when he walked me through Parkhead's gates.

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