The intense pressure and high expectations don’t allow you much time to settle in at Celtic.
Even though Celtic are dominating on the domestic circuit, the recent wins and trophy lifts are forgotten about rather quickly because it isn’t too long before fans look towards the next one.
Celtic’s new signing, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, made his debut at Ibrox before the September international break, and it’s fair to say he left an impression for all the wrong reasons.
With another game under his belt, Balikwisha still hasn’t got started, even though it has taken somebody like Sebastian Tounekti, pretty much straight away, to showcase to the Celtic fans what he is all about.
Michael Stewart explains the issue with Michel-Ange Balikwisha
It’s understandable that, after your first set of games, the performance levels aren’t there, but that’s not the only issue with Balikwisha.
As Michael Stewart touched upon during the Premier Sports podcast, it’s the 2025 summer signings decision to not even attempt to go past his player.
It has left Stewart utterly baffled, but Alan Hutton tried to calm the situation down by stating ‘give him time.’
Stewart: “But on the other wing. Balikwisha.”
Hutton: “Oooh, aye. Let’s give him time. I know. He has played a couple of games. The first one was at Ibrox, and then away at Killie. I know. I am with you.”
Stewart: “Whoa, whoa. At least try to take the fullback on.”
Balikwisha’s stats for Celtic
It’s the intent from the Belgian star, even if he doesn’t beat his man, the Celtic fans want him to at least try, like he is going for it.
Whether it’s nerves, the fact that he doesn’t want to make a mistake, or he just wants to do the simple stuff, one thing is for sure: he needs to change pretty quickly.
Or else, he will quickly be put in the same boat as the likes of Luis Palma, Yang and Marco Tilio.
- Games: 2
- Unsuccessful dribbles: 0.5 (per game)
- Successful dribbles: 0
- Total dribbles: 0.5
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