Stoke City fans are enjoying the output from Celtic attacking midfielder Sead Hakšabanović. The Montenegro Internationalist was shown the door by Brendan Rodgers and picked a move to EFL Championship over Greek side PAOK, who were keen on a permanent move for the 24-year-old.
In Wednesday night’s game between Stoke City and Hudderfield, Hakšabanović started in the No.10 role and earned the plaudits from his new support. The match finished 2-2 and Haksa assisted The Potters’ second goal, a strike from Ben Wilmot.
Taking to Twitter/X, Stoke City fans were full of praise for the winger as his result meant a draw for Neil Warnock on what could be his final game in management.
Sead Hakšabanović Vs Huddersfield:
• 73 minutes played
• 23 accurate passes
• 8/10 duels won
• 4 passes into the final third
• 4/4 successful dribbles
• 3 key passes
• 2 fouls won
• 1 assistTop performance for his full-debut 🇲🇪 #SCFC pic.twitter.com/bYpatdcKhu
— Potterslive (@potterslive_) September 21, 2023
Point earned could of won that. Impressed with Haksabanovic pic.twitter.com/6KitqSNAoV
— Neil J Price (@NjpPrice) September 20, 2023
I’m loving Haksabanovic. Such a talented player #signhimup
— northstokie (@northstokie) September 20, 2023
The most positive thing about the past couple of games is people realising how important Mmaee is.
Him and Vidigal have already shown their worth, and Haksabanovic looks a real player.
With all three together we could have a real threat on our hands. It’ll come! 🔥
— 🟥⬜ Geeby 🎮 (@GeebyYu) September 21, 2023
Positive…
Hakšabanović and Vidigal are the first two names on the team sheet.
Hakšabanović really stood out tonight.
— Adam ⚽️ (@SCFCkirky) September 20, 2023
Hakšabanović was signed from Russian side Rubin Kazan by Ange Postecoglou in the summer of 2022. The winger arrived with the baggage of a failed spell at West Ham but showed initial promise. In 42 appearances for Celtic, Hakšabanović scored 5 times and assisted on 4 occasions. There were flashes of brilliance from the player but mostly was frustrating.
Ange probably recognised that he was an impact sub rather than a starter through opportunity whilst Brendan made it clear that he didn’t see the player fitting into his squad.
Hopefully the player is able to impress in England and his situation can be assessed in either the January transfer window or next summer.
He’s better than Maeda & always would cause more problems than him & have a better final ball. Nae wonder he was unhappy. What’s Maeda’s stats every game? 1 decent cross if we’re lucky, nae succesful dribbles (shoved aff the baw usually), shots on target: nane! But, he “works hard” .. “the jerseys don’t shrink to fit inferior players” Jock Stein once said .. sadly, they have to these days. We shouldae used oor pot & bought Jota back.