Two games in, and some of the Celtic support is writing Michel-Ange Balikwisha off already. Get a grip
Eric Knott 
(Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Adam Idah has only walked out the door of Celtic Park, and already the snipers in our support have turned their sights on Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
It seems to me that some of the Celtic support has to have a target at all times to aim at.
Balikwisha is now that target.
Two games in, and people are writing him off already.
I find it hard to comprehend people who think like this.
I find it difficult to understand knee jerk reactions like this.
Then again, the same people hammered Adam Idah for his price tag, despite the fact he bagged 29 goals during his 18 month stay at our club.
Despite the fact he was pivotal in our double winning campaign of 2023/24.
A campaign that looked as if it might go off the rails before his arrival on loan from Norwich City in January ’24.
But let’s set the Adam Idah scenario aside and put into perspective Michel-Ange Balikwisha’s position.
First and foremost, Balikwisha is predominantly a left winger, and this is where issues are immediately arising for the Belgian player at Celtic.
He has been asked to play out of position on the right wing for us.
This is not his fault, as for some strange reason, our scouting department felt we needed four left sided wingers and no right sided wingers this summer.
If a player is asked to play out of position, then that is immediately going to cause issues with his performance.
Balikwisha is a right footed player.
His preference is to cut inside defences from the left and take shots with his right foot.
Effectively, he is being asked to do what Nicolas Kuhn did on the right wing.
Cut inside from the right and use his left foot to take shots, which Kuhn mastered during his time at the club.
Which we saw beautifully displayed in his performance against RB Leipzig last season.
If Brendan Rodgers wants Balikwisha to fulfil this role, then Balikwisha has to change his style of play entirely.
First and foremost, this is not his fault.
Secondly, it will take him time to adapt.
Because it’s already clear after the game at Rugby Park that Seb Tounekti is going to be the preferred winger on the left outside of Daizen Maeda whenever Maeda is called upon to play in that role.
So Rodgers is probably going to have to coach some new aspects into Balikwisha’s game if he wants him to play on the right hand side for Celtic.
This will take time.
But clearly some of our fanbase doesn’t allow for that, or understand what this entails.
Instead, they choose to write the player off two games into his Celtic career.
Absurd, yes I know.
Someone even commented on the podcast last night and said he ONLY played in the Belgian League.
Right, so this is the same league that lowly Club Brugge play in?
You know, the team that banged 9 goals past our neighbours across the city?
Balikwisha has also won the Belgian Pro League in 2023 with his run of the mill side, Royal Antwerp.
In fact, he won a double with them that season.
He also won the Belgian Super Cup that year.
All while competing against the likes of lowly Brugge, you know, that club that made fools of the Ibrox side?
Let’s be honest here, the Belgian Pro League is definitely of a better standard than the Scottish Premiership.
It is currently ranked 8th in UEFA’s League rankings.
Balikwisha played 145 times for Royal Antwerp, during that time he scored 30 goals from the left wing.
It’s clear that our scouting network saw his potential.
We were scouting him for long enough, that’s for sure.
Writing him off after two games, especially when he has had to play out of position is bordering on ridiculous.
Give him time.
And don’t use Tounekti as a comparison, he debuted in his natural position at Rugby Park.
Regardless of what I’ve said here, the snipers already have their sights set.
Balikwisha now has his work cut out for him.
I guess he’s lucky he has one of the best coaches in the business in Brendan Rodgers teaching him then?
As we know, Rodgers always brings out the best in players.
Balikwisha was a clearly a long time target of his.
So let’s allow the manager to work his magic on Balikwisha and reserve judgement on the player until the end of this season.
Not after just two games.
I can’t believe I’m even saying that.
But that’s just how some of our support is.
It was ever thus.
I think he looks to be needing some confidence too. He was signed days after being knocked out of the CL when the vibe around the entire club wasn’t great.
Add in the fact he was on that shite pitch too for his second game I’m hopeful he shows us what he can do soon enough. Maybe BR gives him a shot on the left next game & Tounetki on the right. He looks a little more comfortable going either direction too.
The problem is the board never got the finger out and kept the cash in the bank, the simple answer is stop giving them your money
I agree, that we have caused our own issue by signing too many left wingers, although it’s slightly silly to consider we are talking about a right footed player who showed no comfort going on his right foot and trying to get outside a player at all. Surely that should have been within his capabilities
As a former winger…I played both right and left…and was comfortable with either…So I don’t agree with your analysis…Yes its only 2 games in…but he hasn’t looked very effective…Not remotely writing him off…but I’ll be watching…and hoping that he comes good..
Hail hail.
I agree with that appraisal.
I,too,played on both wings and could cross the ball with either foot.
Not writing the guy off but he couldn’t go past a burnt out Tavenier at the shit pit.
I think he could do with a bit of a confidence boost because he’s been an empty jersey so far.
It has to be noted that Kühn didn’t set the heather on fire immediately either.
I don’t think there is a lot of wingers in the league that can kick with both feet.They always try to get it onto their preferred side.I learned how to kick with both feet in schools football. Our PT teacher hammered us to learn how to do it.!!!!
Tommy/T Nova,l despair when l watch our wingers.
We played Yang on the left at Kairat,1st good bit of play from him as he gets to the byeline then instead of a killer cutback he stops and plays a useless pass back with his “good” right foot…….Chance gone !
Not gonna single him out because he’s not the only one but this a fair example of so called star players who are extremely limited in their trickery with the ball.
I used to take inswinging corners from the right ……with the outside of my right foot !!
The panic it caused in defences as a ball they were anticipating hitting around the penalty spot suddenly veering towards their goalmouth was something to behold.
Tounetki,on first viewing, looks like a throwback to the days when wingers could tie the blood of defenders in knots.
Here’s hoping !!!
Hmmm!, Idah out so attentions turn, whilst we all wish any Celtic signing well, I fear Balikwisha will not be the one getting us off our seats anytime soon. Of recent, there has been a catalogue of misfits gracing the shirt who simply aren’t good enough. Big money deals and contracts don’t always bring success. As for settling in, the bhoy Tounekti seems to have no problems doing so. Maybe time to set aside the blind faith and give the players performing our support.
Not been good enough yet. We don’t need another Yang. Take your man on, use your pace, mix it up – inside and outside – leave them guessing. Constantly passing it back is not a wingers role, lack of confidence or not. Confidence comes from trying, beating your man more often than not, and realising you’re creating chances. Tounekti showed him how it’s done. Now go earn your wage and the respect of the fans by at least trying… Given his previous form, I’ve got faith he’ll come good.