Celtic attacker Sead Haksabanovic has backed his side to become more ruthless in front of goal after they were almost made to pay for their profligacy in yesterday’s dramatic win at McDiarmid Park.
The Hoops had several chances to bury St Johnstone before Callum Davidson’s side’s injury-time equaliser and Giorgos Giakmoumakis’ subsequent winner, with chance conversion and persistent issue in recent weeks for Celtic,
The Montenegro star forced Celtic’s opener in the first half when his cross was deflected into the St Johnstone net by Andy Considine – in a half that that should have already seen the away side a couple of goals to the good – and the Haksabanovic has called for his team to find their clinical edge ahead of Tuesday’s crucial tie against Leipzig.
As reported by the Daily Record, he said: “It would have been extremely frustrating if we hadn’t won because we had a lot of chances that we didn’t score from. That last goal made us feel joy and relief. After training, though, we need to stay and do extra on shooting and finishing.
“No matter who we play, we feel we are going to make chances but we should have made this game 3-0 earlier and then just played it out. You have to be really clinical at Champions League level. That is why I am saying we maybe have to stay behind in training. All of us. We need to focus on finishing and everything like that, so that when we do get chances, we are 100 per cent that we are going to score.”
“I’d say we can win – 100 per cent. We are playing at home, the fans are going to give us that amazing atmosphere and it is going to feel so good. If we go out and give 100 per cent and believe in ourselves, we have a chance. We made chances in Germany, so we are capable.”
Ange Postecoglou’s side will be without Callum McGregor for the Leipzig showdown, with the captain set to miss at least the next month of fixtures, but Haksabanovic believes that Celtic will have to find a way to win without their captain.
“He is a big piece of the team, on and off the pitch, but I know he is going to be there for us. He will be there to cheer us but we have to show we can play without him as well.’
Despite Giakoumakis’ late winner getting Celtic out of jail yesterday, they’ve been punished for their errant finishing in Europe, with chances aplenty for the Hoops in the three group stage matches so far.
The open and oft-chaotic nature of last week’s game in Germany suggests that Tuesday’s game against Leipzig will likely be more of the same, and an early goal would give Celtic a huge boost in a match that realistically is a must-win if they’re to progress to the knockout phase of the Champions League.
It’s sure to be a frantic, and hopefully memorable night as the Hoops gear up for the first of two colossal Champions League games in Paradise in the space of a fortnight.
In other news: Saints boss always feared late fightback from “fantastic” Celtic despite injury-time equaliser
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