It would be fair to say that Michel-Ange Balikwisha has been a massive let down at Celtic since his £5 million move from Royal Antwerp last summer, despite arriving as a highly regarded prospect. The hefty price tag generated immense excitement among the Parkhead faithful, who expected a dynamic attacking spark to illuminate the Scottish Premiership.
Instead, the high-profile winger quickly became a peripheral figure in Glasgow. His transition from the Belgian top flight to the relentless physical demands of Scottish football proved far more difficult than anyone anticipated. Weeks turned into months, and the marquee summer signing gradually faded into the background of Celtic’s squad rotation.
The DR Congo international has barely featured for the side, indeed his last appearance was in the Scottish cup against Auchinleck Tablet back in January, and he’s not been selected for a league match day squad since 17th December. For a player who commanded such a significant financial investment, spending half a year completely excluded from the first-team picture is a sobering reality.
The former Belgian youth international’s one and only contribution during the season was an assist he provided for a Daizen Maeda winner against Motherwell at Celtic Park in October last year, and although it proved a vital moment in the final standings, it wasn’t enough to satisfy Brendan Rodgers before his departure.
Rodgers, known for demanding intense tactical discipline and relentless off-the-ball pressing, reportedly grew frustrated with Balikwisha’s defensive work rate and slow adaptation to the system. As the pressure mounted in the title race, the previous management team opted for trusted, battle-hardened options, completely freezing out the expensive winger.
The sudden managerial shake-up at Celtic Park has now thrown a lifeline to several squad outcasts. With a new management era underway, the slate has been wiped completely clean for everyone. The arrival of Martin O’Neill has injected a fresh sense of hope across the entire football club, particularly for those who found themselves trapped in outer darkness.
Rather than sulking over his disastrous debut campaign or looking for an easy escape route via a summer transfer, the forgotten winger has chosen to fight for his future in Glasgow. He understands that a club of Celtic’s magnitude will not wait forever, and this upcoming pre-season represents his absolute final opportunity to salvage his career in Scotland.
To ensure he is in the best possible shape, Balikwisha has been working hard behind the scenes back in Belgium with a personal coach to ensure he hits the ground running for pre-season training ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. These grueling private sessions have focused heavily on building core strength, explosive speed, and the match fitness required to survive a grueling domestic calendar.
The individual training program is designed to replicate the high-intensity drills expected at Lennoxtown. By pushing his body to the limit during the traditional holiday period, the wide man intends to prove to the incoming coaching staff that his previous struggles were merely a temporary blip rather than a permanent reflection of his ability.
Whether he can convince the new regime that he has a future at the club remains to be seen, but his talent is undeniable, and the fans will be hoping that a fresh start can finally unlock his true potential in a green and white shirt. At his best, the winger possesses the raw pace and trickery capable of unlocking the deepest defensive blocks in the league.
During his time with Royal Antwerp, Balikwisha was widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Belgian football. He routinely terrorized full-backs in the Jupiler Pro League and gained invaluable experience competing at the highest level in European competitions. That elite pedigree does not simply disappear overnight.
Martin O’Neill has historically been a manager who appreciates traditional, direct wingers who can carry the ball forward with purpose and deliver quality service into the penalty box. If Balikwisha can display the necessary hunger, defensive desire, and tactical awareness during the summer friendlies, he might find the new tactical system far more suited to his natural attributes.
The financial aspect of this situation cannot be ignored by the Celtic hierarchy either. Writing off a £5 million investment after just twelve months would represent a massive financial blow. Football blockbusters that fail so quickly hurt a club’s transfer strategy, meaning there is significant internal pressure to see the player succeed under the new management structure.
The upcoming pre-season fixtures will serve as a definitive audition for the Congolese attacker. Squad places will be fiercely contested, and the level of competition within the Celtic forward line remains incredibly high. Players like Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn, and James Forrest will not give up their starting jerseys without an immense battle.
However, football is full of remarkable redemption stories, and the Parkhead crowd loves nothing more than a player who overcomes adversity to become a hero. If Balikwisha can transform his evident frustration into positive on-field performances, he could effectively save the club millions of pounds in the summer transfer market.
The early signs indicate that his attitude is exactly where it needs to be. Choosing to sacrifice his summer break to work with a specialized personal trainer demonstrates a commendable level of maturity and dedication. It shows a player who is desperate to correct the narrative surrounding his name and prove his doubters wrong.
As the squad prepares to reconvene for medical testing and initial fitness assessments, all eyes will be on the returning Belgian-raised forward. The physical transformation and sharp fitness levels he hopes to display must be matched by an elite mental approach from the very first whistle of pre-season training.
The talent has never been the issue; it has always been a question of confidence, tactical adaptation, and system compatibility. A completely fresh tactical approach combined with a manager famous for his motivational skills could be the exact catalyst required to kickstart the £5 million man’s stalled career.
Only time will tell if Michel-Ange Balikwisha can successfully write a glorious second chapter to his Celtic story. The journey ahead will require immense resilience, but by taking full accountability for his fitness during the off-season, the forgotten man has taken the vital first step toward his ultimate redemption at Celtic Park.
