Sead Haksabanovic Rues Missed Celtic Glasgow Derby Chance Almost Two Years On

Former Celtic winger Sead Haksabanovic still rues the chance missed in the Hoops’ Scottish League Cup final against Rangers almost two years ago.

The Bhoys took on their fierce rivals at Hampden in February 2023, with the attacker coming on for the closing stages of the match.

Haksabanovic was introduced with six minutes to go, with the Celts leading 2-1 at the time thanks to a Kyogo Furuhashi brace.

The Montenegrin provided an outlet for his side on the break as they held on to a slender lead.

With not long left on the clock, he broke in behind the Rangers defence and faced Allan McGregor one-on-one. Haksabanovic, though, spurned the opportunity as he flashed the ball wide of the target.

He still regrets his missed chance a year and a half later but is glad his side won the cup against their greatest rivals, regardless.

“The [Glasgow] derbies were unbelievable,” he said (Football Scotland).

“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.

“I should have scored in the [2023] League Cup final… it was good that we won!”

Haksabanovic now plays for Malmo in Sweden, with his side set to face Rangers in the Europa League tonight.

Although he won’t play a part in the match because of a groin injury, the 25-year-old hopes his club can pile some misery on the Ibrox side.

The winger’s Hoops career was eventually marred by a cryptic social media post in which he hinted at feeling undervalued, but to this day, Haksabanovic still remembers his Celtic roots.