What someone at the Belgian FA told Celtic hero John Collins about Michel-Ange Balikwisha

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Celtic’s pursuit of Michel-Ange Balikwisha is all but over.

We told yesterday how Celtic have set a medical after Balikwisha said his goodbye to the Royal Antwerp support at the weekend.

Celtic will spend £4.5-£5m on the Belgian U21 international as a year-long pursuit to bring the 24-year-old to Glasgow looks set to come to an end.

But what kind of player is Balikwisha and will he fit into the way Celtic play and make an impact?

Celtic hero John Collins shares what a ‘friend’ at the Belgian FA has told him about the incoming Hoops players.

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Celtic given a ‘positive report’ about Michel-Ange Balikwisha from the Belgian FA

Balikwisha is expected to complete his Celtic move in the coming days and whilst on commentary duty for Kairat Almaty vs Celtic, Collins shared what his friend at the Belgian FA told him about the attacker.

Collins told BBC Radio Scotland, “I’ve got a friend who works for the Belgian FA and works with all the youth teams.

“So he tells me he’s a good football player, good attitude, good striker of the ball and he thinks he’ll be a good purchase. A positive report.”

So let’s take a look at Balikwisha’s all-time stats and if they back up what Collins was told.

Celtic-bound Michel-Ange Balikwisha’s all-time scoring record

Balikwisha has made 186 career appearances spanning just three clubs over his short career.

During that time, the 24-year-old has won a Belgian league title, a Belgian Cup and a Belgian Super Cup. So let’s take a look at his stats for goals and assists:

• Appearances: 186
• Goals: 39
• Assists: 21

Hopefully, when at Celtic, Balikwisha can build on his record of one goal every 4.69 games because this Hoops attack could be doing with a player who can make a big difference.