Celtic target called out for criticising teammates after defeat | OneFootball

Published 2 months ago• 3 minute read

Article image:Celtic target called out for criticising teammates after defeat

Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Royal Antwerp takes a shot whilst under pressure from Jules Kounde of Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona and Royal Antwerp at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on September 19, 2023 in Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The player in question is winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who appeared back on the Hoops’ radar again, after Brendan Rodgers sent scouts to watch him in a action versus Union Saint-Gilloise recently.

The Belgian has been on the radar previously before that too, when Celtic were closely monitoring him with a view to making a significant bid for him during Rodgers’ second summer transfer window back at the club.

That potential move hit the wall though, when Balikwisha ended up sustaining a nasty injury which saw him ruled out for several months. Brendan Rodgers even reignited his interest this past January, however, the Royal Antwerp man wanted to focus on getting back to his best first before any big career changes.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Arbnor Muja of Royal Antwerp look on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp at Volksparkstadion on November 28, 2023 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

The pacey attacker has ended up in hot water lately though, after he criticised his teammates’ in the aftermath of a defeat to AA Gent. Balikwisha said post-match his team “defended like the U8”, whilst he complained of his fellow Antwerp colleagues: “I give good passes, but my teammates don’t finish them. Not everyone is perfect. But I’m tired of playing for nothing,” as reported by HLN.BE.

Furthermore, former assistant to Philippe Clement at theRangers, Andreas Ulderink, who is currently assistant manager at Antwerp, said of the outburst from the frustrated striker: “I spoke to ‘Bali’ about it,” he said. “I think it was not his best interview. He realises that himself. He let himself be caught up in the emotions of the moment. I would rather not see that. It is good to be critical, but you have to be careful not to put yourself next to the team. The players also spoke to Bali this week. And that is all done – we are moving on.”

Michel-Ange Balikwisha during the Belgian “Pro League” First Division football match between Royal Antwerp FC and Royal Union Saint-Gilloise at Bosuil-Stadium in Antwerp on March 17, 2024. (Photo by KRISTOF VAN ACCOM/BELGA/AFP via Getty Images)

It’s still purely conjecture at this point what Brendan Rodgers’ plans are for this coming summer transfer window. With business still to be taken care of in the league and Scottish Cup, minds will be fully focussed on delivering yet more silverware to the Parkhead trophy room. Having said all that, it’s clear that the manager wants more depth in the wide attacking areas and Million Manhoef of Stoke City is another name which has been mentioned as being in the picture too.

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, McDiarmid Park, Perth, 06 April 2025. Stuart Wallace . Photo IMAGO/Shutterstock

It will be interesting to see what Celtic do this summer on this one. Michel-Ange Balikwisha is clearly a player that is highly regarded by Brendan Rodgers.

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