Sead Haksabanovic’s time at Celtic came to a difficult end, marked by frustration, uncertainty, and mixed signals from both manager Brendan Rodgers and the Celtic board, according to the Montenegrin international. In a recent interview, the 25-year-old reflected on his time at the Hoops, offering insight into his departure and the circumstances that led to it.
Mixed Signals from Brendan Rodgers
Haksabanovic’s struggles at Celtic began under Brendan Rodgers, who according to Haksabanovic informed him early on that he wasn’t part of his plans for the season. “He (Brendan Rodgers) told me, even before Kilmarnock [in a League Cup last 16 tie] that I was not a part of his plan going forward,” Haksabanovic revealed: (The Celtic Way). This conversation came before the season had properly started, and things only seemed to get worse. Despite this, the Montenegrin was put on the bench following an injury to Oh Hyeon-gyu.
Frustration and Lack of Clarity
The lack of clarity from both Rodgers and the Celtic board left Haksabanovic in a frustrating position. “The board were saying one thing, and he was saying another thing. It was mixed signals for me,” he said. Haksabanovic’s frustration grew as bids from other clubs were rejected by the board, leaving him stuck in limbo with no clear direction.
The final straw came during a testimonial match for James Forrest, where Haksabanovic wasn’t given a chance to play despite Rodgers rotating the squad. “I knew that I would not get any minutes,” Haksabanovic admitted. It was at that point that he realised he needed to leave Celtic in search of regular football, even if it meant going on loan to Stoke City.
The Realisation and the Social Media Post
After receiving little support from the Hoops, Haksabanovic says he took to social media in a moment of frustration, posting: “If they don’t see your value, maybe you’re not at the right place.” While the post garnered support from some former teammates, Haksabanovic made it clear that his intention was not to direct his frustration solely at the manager or the board, but rather to find a resolution to his situation.
“It was not a frustration towards Brendan or the board,” he explained, “but they were saying no to everything.” Haksabanovic made it clear that he needed game time, and without it, he saw no future at Celtic.
Stoke City and Injury Setbacks
Haksabanovic eventually went on loan to Stoke City, where he initially impressed, winning Player of the Month and earning praise for his performances. However, his momentum was halted by injury, and his consistency was disrupted. Despite the setback, he remains determined to continue fighting for his career, knowing that it is part of football’s unpredictable nature.
Reflecting on his time at Celtic, Haksabanovic admitted: “When the manager told me I was not part of his plan, I got sad – but that’s football, and you need to keep going.” It was a chapter filled with uncertainty, but Haksabanovic is now focused on his future, hoping to prove his worth wherever his career takes him.
Ultimately, Haksabanovic didn’t meet the level required to be a starter for Celtic week in, week out. At times, he was brilliant off the bench; however, he wasn’t consistent enough to put a run of games together. Rodgers made the right decision to let him leave on loan before eventually moving to Malmö, with Daizen Maeda, since Haksabanovic’s exit, showing the complete opposite – humble, hardworking, and consistent.
