FRONT AND HAK

Hampden semi is perfect time for Sead to shine

»SPORTS VIEW FRIDAY
Craig Swan

SEAD HAKSABANOVIC has lit up his first season at Celtic with little cameos.

But Hampden on Sunday may well offer him his biggest chance to take centre stage.

The strength of boss Ange Postecoglou's set-up is its variety. An ability for non-regular starters or subs to make a huge impact.

Competition for places and a drive to deliver when called upon mean the machine rarely falters even when one or two key parts aren't functioning or in the repair shop.

No one, perhaps Callum McGregor apart, is guaranteed a start.

But it's obvious that some are going to feature more than others and Haksabanovic has, for the majority of the campaign, had to wait his turn.

With Jota in explosive mood as soon as the campaign kicked off, Liel Abada causing mayhem with doubles against Rangers and a hat-trick at Dundee United, there was no need for the Montenegrin to sparkle instantly after his August switch from Rubin Kazan.

Daizen Maeda was also doing the business and the evergreen James Forrest contributed hugely in those opening months of the season.

Nonetheless, Haksabanovic still took his opportunities.

There was an early indicator of his value when Postecoglou plunged him into the line-up for the away tie against Shakhtar Donetsk on matchday two of the Champions League.

Again, when Jota wasn't fit for the home encounters against RB Leipzig and the Ukranians, the manager went to Haksabanovic. He started half the group games.