SEAD HAKSABANOVIC will be introduced to the quirkiness of the notorious plastic pitch at Livingston tomorrow in the High Noon shoot-out.
And the impressive £1.7million bargain buy from Rubin Kazan has been putting in overtime at Lennoxtown to make sure he continues the convincing form he has displayed in his 12 outings so far.
Haksabanovic has been told about the peculiarities of the playing surface at the Tony Macaroni Arena and is ready for his latest challenge since joining the Ange Postecoglou revolution in August.
The champions ended a miserable a five-game winless run in West Lothian with a 3-1 victory on their last visit in March on their way to a tenth title in 11 years.
HAPPY DAYS…Sead Haksabanovic congratulates Kyogo Furuhashi after the Japanese international striker’s goal in the 4-0 win over Motherwell at Fir Park.
The Sweden-born Montenegro international raider said: “It is my first visit. My team mates have told me a little about it. And they said it is tough playing there. But, you know, every game is tough in this league and in the Champions League, so it is like they say: ‘No easy games’.
“We just have to score more goals than them. As a football player, you want to play games more than you want to train. It is tough for us, but we know we have a good squad and we have a lot of players.
“We just have to make sure that we bring what we do in the Champions League to the league.”
Honest Haksabanovic has made a reasonable first impression at Parkhead, but revealed he has volunteered for extra sessions with coach Harry Kewell, the former Liverpool, Leeds United and Australia international forward, to speed up his progress.
HAPPY DAYS…Sead Haksabanovic and Matt O’Riley applaud Giorgos Giakoumakis after the Freek hitman’s strike against Shakhtar Donetsk.
And he admitted he believed playing in the same line-up with Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgos Giakoumakis will also assist him to reach a new level.
The wide Bhoy, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “I love playing alongside them. They are both good players. The whole squad are good players. I am still new and I am still trying to learn how everyone plays. But I am enjoying myself.
“Hopefully, soon I can get in 100 per cent with the team and how they play and how we play. I mean in terms of being new here. I am learning all about the players and everyone and how we play.
“The manager is very clear in what he wants from me. And I know I have his support otherwise I wouldn’t be here. I have been doing some extra work with Harry, as well. They are all there for me and I am just very happy about that.
“I like it here. I am enjoying myself. I like the league. I think it is a good league with a good level.”
