Ex-Celt Sead Haksabanovic recalls missed Rangers opportunity | OneFootball

Former Celtic winger Sead Haksabanovic has previewed Malmö’s Europa League opener against Rangers. The Montenegro International spent one season at Celtic before Brendan Rodgers took over for Ange Postecoglou on 2023. The Irishman wasn’t a fan of the attacker and sanctioned a loan move to Stoke City before signing off on his departure earlier this year.

Speaking to Football Scotland, Haksabanovic admitted that it will be a special game for him.

“It’s going to be a special game for me because I played for Celtic and I’m all for Celtic. Of course, I want to win tomorrow and it’s also special because I played for Celtic and I want my team to win and start the Europa League in a good way. I should have scored in the League Cup final. It was good that we won!”

Haksabanovic missed a glorious chance in the late stages of the game to put the match behind Michael Beale’s side, which clearly still weighs on his mind. The player will be hoping to give the Rangers rearguard a difficult time with his skill and movement.

Haksa, who left in a £3m deal for Malmo over the summer, reflected on the derbies and admitted the atmosphere was even more intense that he expected.

“The derbies were unbelievable. It surprised me in a good way.

“The atmosphere was crazy and when you play for Celtic you get to know more about the derby because when you look from the outside, you know a little bit. But when you play for Celtic you get to know it more and understand it more.”

Celtic fans will be more concerned about this weekend’s trip to St Johnstone rather than Europe’s second competition but hopefully Haksabanovic can make trip unhappy for the Rangers support in Sweden.