Celtic’s signing of Michel-Ange Balikwisha was long-awaited.
The Belgian youth international had been on Brendan Rodgers’ wishlist for a year when he was finally brought to Celtic Park in late August.
Fan mood wasn’t great at the time of the signing after the Hoops’ disastrous Champions League exit against Kairat Almaty, and Balikwisha faced an uphill battle.
He had to make his debut at Ibrox in a goalless draw – and pundits were questioning him immediately. He has started just once for the Hoops since then.
But as he works at Lennoxtown during the international break, he has taken the time to reflect on his time in Glasgow so far.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha on his start to life at Celtic
Signed from Royal Antwerp in Belgium, Balikwisha’s Hoops move was his first outside of his home country.
He joined a Hoops attack in desperate need of help following the departures of Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn.
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It wasn’t a straightforward situation for club or player – but over a month into his Celtic career, Balikwisha has lifted the lid on his time so far.
“I am training hard every day,” he said on Celtic TV. “The sessions are more intense here than where I came from, so I had to adapt. Now everything is fine and I hope it continues every day to help the team.
“As the gaffer said, it was not easy at the beginning as I was staying in the hotel, but today everything is sorted and it is time for me to show what I am capable of. The staff and my teammates helped me a lot during that time.
“After a good week of training with a positive mindset and confidence, when the gaffer called me on the touchline I was desperate to come on and help the team to win the game.
“God has shown me mercy and I played free. Arne found me in the space and I crossed it left foot for Daizen who finished it well. It was an incredible feeling with the noise of the fans and, for me, it was as if I had scored.”
Where will Michel-Ange Balikwisha play for Celtic?
The lack of balance in Celtic’s attacking options complicates things for Balikwisha, as well as the Hoops’ other attackers.
Balikwisha, Daizen Maeda and Sebastian Tounekti would all prefer to play as left-wingers – so if all three are to start a game, it would mean playing two of them away from their best position.
We have seen Maeda play as a striker, where he scored the aforementioned winner in last weekend’s win over Motherwell. But this calls Kelechi Iheanacho’s involvement in the side into question, despite his positive start.
It has even been suggested by an ex-coach that Balikwisha could be a striker. But with the right flank in need of help, he may simply need to play where necessity requires.
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