Martin O’Neill has given his verdict on Michel‑Ange Balikwisha’s performance after Celtic’s 2‑0 Scottish Cup win over Auchinleck Talbot, which was the winger’s first start since last September.
Balikwisha was selected in a more central, attacking midfielder role, something O’Neill alluded to earlier in the week when suggesting the DR Congo international was better suited to a number‑10 position than out wide.
On Sunday, he started there with Luke McCowan playing on the right and James Forrest on the left, but by most accounts, the performance was underwhelming and did little to push his case for a starting spot in midweek.
Celtic travel to Italy for Thursday’s Europa League tie with Bologna, before returning to face Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday, a match where the Jam Tarts are already dealing with their own injury issues.
Balikwisha’s appearance at Rugby Park was his first start since featuring against Kilmarnock at the same stadium back in September.
When asked about the winger’s display, O’Neill struck a cautious, measured tone:
“He did okay. He did alright in the game, yes. He was striving for a start for quite some considerable time, so he got it.
“And I know Paulo Bernardo played under Wilfried Nancy a couple of times. It was his first start under me as well.
“So, at least Paulo got the 90 minutes, and Balikwisha got most of the game.” [TCW]
Reading between the lines, O’Neill’s comments suggest that he hasn’t yet done enough to guarantee regular minutes, especially with tougher fixtures coming up.
With Celtic needing goals and creative spark in league and European competition, every outing is now a real audition and Sunday’s display was far from compelling.
Whether Balikwisha can build on this and force his way into the plans for Bologna or Hearts will be a key subplot in the week ahead.
