MONTENEGRO manager Miodrag Radulovic has urged Celtic to be patient in their development of Sead Haksabanovic because it could take him time to get back to full fitness.
Celtic splashed out £1.7 million before the transfer deadline to sign him from Rubin Kazan and he made his first start last week against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League before being hooked at half time.
He came on as a sub against St Mirren on Sunday, but was involved in a flash point with a ballboy and later booked in a frustrating afternoon for the 23-year-old.
Haksabanovic is now on international duty for his country and will play against Bosnia and Finland in Nations League clashes.
And Montenegro manager Radulovic believes it will take Haksabanovic some time before he is up to speed at Celtic.
He pointed out: "Sead's move to Celtic is a big thing for him and for our football in general.
"I believe he will show the quality he has both with Celtic and in the national team in the near future.
"The problem at the moment is that he wasn't in training when the transfer went through and he was playing no football at all.
"So he will take time to fully match fit, but I can already tell he is gradually getting his fitness back with the games he plays.
"He will certainly have a part to play for us in our two forthcoming games."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here