Michel‑Ange Balikwisha was not in Celtic’s matchday squad again last night.
Despite the squad listing two right‑backs, there simply wasn’t room for him. That marks another chapter in what increasingly looks like a standstill in the DRC’s international career.
Balikwisha hasn’t played a single minute for the Hoops since 11 December, when he featured for 13 minutes against Roma in the Europa League. That cameo came more than a month after his previous appearance, which was a 15‑minute run‑out against Midtjylland.
Even returning from AFCON hasn’t helped. Since coming back to Glasgow, Balikwisha has been omitted from squads, further suggesting that he’s not currently rated by the coaching staff.
The off‑pitch picture has shifted too.
Balikwisha has deleted all Celtic‑related content from his personal Instagram account.
The only Celtic post remaining is his original signing photo and even that was the one initially posted by Celtic, which he simply collaborated on. For a player only six months into his Celtic journey, that’s a striking visual statement.
And he used to have Celtic posts up.
The 24‑year‑old arrived from Royal Antwerp in the summer for a reported £5 million after a drawn‑out pursuit by the Hoops. Expectations were for him to contribute regularly on the flank, but it hasn’t materialised.
Complicating his options this January is his European registration status. Having already featured for Antwerp and Celtic this season, Balikwisha cannot play for another European club in continental competition this term under existing rules. That severely limits his potential loan or transfer destinations if he’s intent on playing in Europe again before next season.
If he does seek a move in this window, his options are narrow, and the only realistic place that would allow him to keep his European season alive might be a return to Antwerp. Whether that is something Celtic are willing to facilitate remains to be seen.
It’s one to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.
