Celtic made relatively modest spending in the summer transfer window, compared to their usual outlays in previous years. The club invested £14m on new players, with the highest fee spent on winger Sebastian Tounekti from Hammarby for £5.2m.
Following closely behind was Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who joined from Royal Antwerp for £5m before the Glasgow derby draw with Rangers. Balikwisha was promptly thrown into the starting lineup by manager Brendan Rodgers, playing on the wing in a high-stakes match against their rivals.
During the game, pundit and Motherwell midfielder Andy Halliday noted Balikwisha’s hesitancy to take on Rangers’ defender James Tavernier in one-on-one situations. Despite having opportunities to test Tavernier, Balikwisha opted to play it safe by passing the ball back, which surprised and frustrated Halliday.
However, it is important to recognize that Balikwisha was making his debut for Celtic in a crucial fixture after only recently joining the team. Making a debut in the Glasgow derby can be incredibly nerve-wracking for any player, and this might have affected his confidence and decision-making on the field.
While Celtic fans may have been disappointed by Balikwisha’s performance in the derby, it is essential to give him time to adjust and settle into the team. With more game time and experience, Balikwisha has the potential to grow in confidence and become a valuable asset for Celtic throughout the season.
