Celtic outcast Michel-Ange Balikwisha has visited former club Royal Antwerp as an on-pitch guest.
That’s as his exile from Martin O’Neill’s squad continues, with the attacker completely unused in matchday squads since January.
With Celtic’s players given a few days off, Balikwisha took the opportunity to return to the club that sold him for £4.5 million less than a year ago.
It was a fitting visit, given that their opponents on the day were Standard Liege, the club where he started his career.
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Michel-Ange Balikwisha paraded by Antwerp amid Celtic freeze-out
Balikwisha was given a warm welcome from the home crowd, by whom he is still remembered fondly for playing a part in their celebrated 2022-23 season which saw them crowned Belgian champions for the first time in 66 years,
Alongside him was ex-teammate Tjaronn Chery, who now plays for NEC Nijmegen in the Netherlands.
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The game finished 1-1 after a late equaliser from Standard, for whom one-time Hoops target Thomas Henry and Scottish international David Bates featured.
Balikwisha was chased by Celtic for over a year, with the club having decided against signing him in 2024 due to a poorly-timed injury.
It was widely reported that the 24-year-old was a key target for the club last summer, but the move wasn’t completed until the final week of the transfer window, after the Hoops’ disastrous Champions League qualifying exit.
He was thrown straight in to start at Ibrox by Brendan Rodgers, playing 65 minutes in a goalless draw. This remains one of just three starts he has made for the club.
The move has reflected well on no one. Rodgers looks daft for not using such a key target, it’s another black mark on Paul Tisdale’s tenure, and Balikwisha has looked desperately poor on the rare occasions when he has been involved on the pitch.
The last of those was against sixth-tier Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup, before which Martin O’Neill discussed his situation.
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Martin O’Neill on Celtic’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha
The Hoops boss said of the forward: “It must be difficult for him to come in at the time he did and not be getting starts.
“I thought Wilfried Nancy might have played him, but that’s everyone to their own. But we spent some money on Michel-Ange, it’s up to him now to try to do it.
“He hasn’t complained. He hasn’t done any of those particular things. Now there is an opportunity for him.
“He wasn’t in the squad for the game the other night, but he’ll participate on Sunday and give me an idea.
“I know it’s on the plastic surface, but even so it gives me an opportunity to have a look.”
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