Several of Celtic’s summer signings haven’t produced the goods this season.
Many of them arrived under a dark cloud because Celtic fans were restless about what and how the club was going about its business over the summer.
One man Celtic signed during that ill-fated window was Michel-Ange Balikwisha from Royal Antwerp, and life has proven to be difficult for the DR Congo star.
Balikwisha’s debut against Rangers in September was rotten, and unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to up his game since, but James McFadden thinks the winger is playing out of position.
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Michel-Ange Balikwisha: flop or unfairly treated?
James McFadden on Michel-Ange Balikwisha playing out of position at Celtic
Celtic have major issues out wide, and throughout the campaign, even though someone like Hyunjun Yang has picked up his form, the wingers haven’t consistently performed.
But McFadden told Open Goal that Balikwisha is a ‘ten’, and not an out-and-out winger. A role he has played throughout his tenure in Glasgow.
McFadden: “He’s not a winger, Balikwisha.”
Si Ferry: “What is he?”
McFadden: “A ten. He’s not a winger.”
Gordon Dalziel: “He’s not a f___ing ten either. He’s not a football player. Let me tell you.”
Name three players you would sell in the current Celtic side
Balikwisha’s Celtic season in numbers so far…
What’s interesting is that Balikwisha did play as a number ten in Belgium, so perhaps it’s something Martin O’Neill could look at?
But first of all, Balikwisha needs to get back in the matchday squad because he hasn’t featured since returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty.
And during O’Neill’s first interim spell, he was hardly used, so it’s not exactly positive signs for the player.
- Games: 13
- Starts: 2
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 1
- Total minutes: 330
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