SEAD HAKSABANOVIC has suffered misery in a League Cup competition for the second time in two months.
Celtic’s Sweden-born Montenegrin international winger joined Stoke City on a season-long loan after taking to Instagram to state his unhappiness at failing to start for the champions since the return of Brendan Rodgers.
Haksabanovic sent the veiled message on social media: “If they don’t see your value maybe you’re not in the right place.”
That triggered his Hoops exit with the Championship outfit, managed by former Hamilton Accies boss Alex Neil, pipping Greek club PAOK to his signature.
HAMPDEN HEROES…Liel Abada and Sead Haksabanovic after the Scottish Cup Final triumph in June.
In his second last appearance for Rodgers’ men, Haksabanovic was on the losing side as the holders toppled out of the Viaplay League Cup in a disappointing 1-0 loss to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park last month.
He had come on as a substitute for Matt O’Riley in the 75th minute and was involved in a controversial penalty-kick call after being tripped by Lewis Mayo in stoppage time. Unfortunately, neither referee Alan Muir nor his VAR assistants spotted the infringement and play went on.
Haksabanonovic, who joined the champions from Russian club Rubin Kazan in a £1.7million deal in August last year, took his final bow as a Celt in the scoreles stalemate against St Johnstone at Parkhead a week later.
The 24-year-old forward had that familiar sinking feeling in the Carabao League Cup last night as Stoke crashed 2-0 to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
NEW CHALLENGE…Sead Haksabanovic with his Stoke City shirt after agreeing season-long loan.
Once again, he made his appearance as a substitute in the 70th minute, but he couldn’t prevent the hosts, with Ryan Christie in the line-up, triumphing with second-half strikes from Dominic Solanke and Joe Rothwell.
Haksabanovic figured as a substitute in both of Celtic’s Cup Final triumphs last season, the 2-1 win over Michael Beale’s Ibrox side in the League Cup and the 3-1 success over Inverness Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup.
He is under contract at Parkhead until June 2027.
