Rubin Kazan coach Leonid Slutsky is disappointed to see Sead Haksbanovic leave, telling Fotboll Direkt that the Celtic bound forward can become ‘one of the top attacking midfielders in European football’.
As if Celtic’s frontline wasn’t fearsome enough.
After defeating Hearts 2-0 on Sunday, extending their lead over Old Firm rivals Rangers in the Premiership table, Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou admitted that a deal for the former West Ham United youngster was ‘getting closer’.
Haksabanovic, available for a cut-price £4 million following Rubin Kazan’s relegation, could officially become a Celtic player this week. And Slutsky’s loss will be Postecoglou’s gain.
“Sead is a very strong player,” says the former Hull City, Russia and CSKA Moscow coach. “(He) has all the attributes required to be one of the top attacking midfielders in European football.
“He’s strong, very quick and has an excellent intelligence when it comes to his football brain. What I like about him is his versatility. He can play in the classic No 10 role, but also as a very skilful left winger. He can also easily play on the right.”
Celtic are on verge of signing former West Ham United man Sead Haksabanovic
It is not certain at this stage where Postecoglou plans to utilise the Sweden-born Montenegro international in Glasgow. Either way, the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota and Liel Abada will certainly be kept on their toes by the arrival of another gifted attacker. James Forrest and Mikey Johnston, meanwhile, could fall even further down the pecking order.
“We would have loved to have kept him, but the situation became very difficult for him personally,” Slutsky adds, pointing to the unstable political situation currently ongoing in Eastern Europe.
“Rubin Kazan are the most impacted club in Russia when it comes to losing foreign players. Sead will be impossible to replace.”
Haksabanovic has spent much of the summer keeping himself fit back home in Sweden, training with former club Djurgardens.
“There is interest from Celtic, that’s what I know,” admits Bosse Andersson, sporting director at the Allsvenskan league leaders.
The Premiership champions reportedly want Hadjuk Split enforcer Jani Atanasov too before September’s deadline. The 6ft 2ins ball-winner could replace Nir Bitton at Parkhead (Sky Sports).
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