“He explained to me straight out” – Player details Celtic exit and annoyance when not playing

Malmo FF forward Sead Haksabanovic has detailed how he was told straight up he wasn’t wanted at Celtic, hence his departure this summer.

The 25-year-old has been speaking to Hallandsposten after leaving Celtic for a return to Sweden, which was confirmed this week.

The winger joined Malmo in a €2m deal yesterday, bringing an end to a two-year stay at Celtic that had not worked out for both parties.

He joined them for €2.5m from Rubin Kazan in August 2022 but would only make 42 appearances in total for the Scottish giants, managing five goals and four assists in total.

Loaned out to Stoke last season, he was made clear he was not a part of Brendan Rodgers’ plans at Celtic moving forward.

Haksabanovic has been linked with a return to Sweden, where he started his career with Halmstad, ever since and that became a reality this week as Malmo wrapped up the deal with their Scottish counterparts.

The winger is now looking forward to getting back on track after a difficult few years, admitting he was left in no doubt about his status at Celtic before departing.

“He (Rodgers) explained to me straight out that I was not part of his plans, while the board believed in me and wanted me to stay,” he said.

“But it wasn’t just him, so I’ll keep the rest to myself. What has been most frustrating is that none of the coaches who have poked me have explained why.

“I’m the kind of person who asks once or twice why I can’t play, if there’s something I can do better, if there’s something I’m missing. But no more. Then I can do no more than show it on the plan.

“That’s why I’m proud that I still go to training every day and give 100% with the goal of being in the top five. Because I know that I have qualities that can take me very far.”