Sead Haksabanovic insists Ange Postecoglou was right to let rip as Celtic failed to put on a show for their Aussie fans.
The Hoops went down 2-1 to hosts Sydney FC in the opening match of their trip Down Under. Kyogo Furuhashi gave the Premiership pacesetters a first-half lead but it was cancelled out within a couple of minutes and Max Burgess bagged a winner against the run of play after the break.
Postecoglou refused to let the Hoops off the hook after an under-par performance in front of a bumper support in Sydney – and Haksabanovic agreed with his gaffer. He said: “Of course we were disappointed. We want to win every game, whether it’s a friendly, in the league or the Champions League. We’ve come a long way but unfortunately we didn’t show our best side. It’s a long journey and the times are different but we don’t like to make excuses. It’s not hard to sleep right. We should have shown more, so we were not happy.
"Everywhere we go we have a massive fanbase. They showed again – they are f***ing brilliant!
“I play for a great club with amazing fans. And once again they have shown that. I want to give them some more.”
Haksabanovic featured after the break and his display was one of the positives in an entertaining bounce game in Oz. The Montenegro cap went into the break in sizzling form and he promised Parkhead punters there’s even more to come when they return after the World Cup.
Haksabanovic said: “I feel good and my confidence is high after scoring a few goals. I am enjoying my football.
“In my head I am more relaxed but I want to do more. At first I was new and I had to learn how everyone moved on the pitch. It’s always the same with new team-mates.
“I feel more in tune with them now and it’s easier for me to read what they are doing. The standard in the squad is so high. Everyone here can score or create goals – we have players who can change games.
“I feel I have more to give as well – 100 percent.”
Haksabanovic is hitting top gear and he’s hoping to give Hoops fans favourite Jota a run for his money. He said: “I don’t know who has the more tricks – or maybe I don’t know who I should say! Maybe we could call it a draw!
“It’s good fun in training. I don’t know if the defenders like playing against us. You’d need to ask them.”
Postecoglou gave youngsters Scott Robertson, Bosun Lawal and Rocco Vata game time in Sydney and Haksabanovic has offered to help the kids make the grade.
He said: “Rocco has a lot of good attributes and he can become a good player. He is still young and can still work on some things. That will come with time and experience.
“It’s the same with Bosun and a few others. If they need anything they can come to me and ask, but they’ll learn over time.”
Haksabanovic is looking for a better result and performance in Sunday’s glamour clash with Everton before the Celtic squad enjoy a break. But he’s vowed to come back with a bang after the World Cup.
Haksabanovic said: “We’ve got another game on Sunday, we will have a break then it’s pre-season in Portugal. Everyone wants to come back in the best form we can so we can start the next part of the season strongly.
“We want to pick up where we left off.”
Hoops boss Postecoglou is hoping to have some key men available for Everton on Sunday but he’s sweating on Stephen Welsh, who suffered a nasty head cut. He said: “Joe Hart was a bit sore after the last game and Giakoumakis had an infected toe so he missed training yesterday. They might be in for Sunday.
“We are going through the concussion protocols with Moritz Jens now and he is passing all the tests. We will see if he is available for Sunday and all being well he will be.”
READ NEXT:
