FUN-LOVING Boli Bolingoli broke strict Government Covid regulations for a hush-hush break with his girlfriend to Spain in August 2020.
The blundering Belgian’s secret sunshine trip was exposed AFTER a cameo appearance in the 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in the second Premiership game of the club’s disastrous quest for a historic tenth successive title.
Bolingoli, who cost £3million when he arrived from Rapid Vienna the previous summer, never played again for Neil Lennon and was packed off to Turkey on a season-long loan with Instanbul Basaksehir.
BEGINNING OF THE END…Boli Bolingoli takes the knee in his final appearance for Celtic, a 2-0 win over Motherwell at Fir Park on October 16 2021.
He returned to Parkhead in June 2021 and made two first-team appearances for Ange Postecoglou – the 1-0 loss at Livingston in September and the 2-0 win at Motherwell the following month – but didn’t figure again as the Hoops claimed the Premier Sports League Cup in December and sealed a remarkable championship success in May.
Bolingoli went into cold storage when he agreed a short-term temporary transfer at Russian side Ufa which was shelved when the country invaded Ukraine in January 2022.
The Hoops outcast finally left the club that summer for Belgian outfit KV Mechelen on a two-year deal.
And the full-back admitted one of the reasons he returned to his adopted homeland was to have…FUN.
THE LAST HURRAH…Boli Bolingoli, flanked by Anthony Ralston and Giorgos Giakoumakis, is all smiles after the league victory over Motherwell.
Bolingoli, who made a mere 31 outings for Celtic, said: “I was just looking for a club where you feel like a family.
“From the first contact that was immediately clear. I want to play again and have fun.
“That’s my first goal at KV.”
In his debut campaign, Bolingoli made 15 starts, missed 13 through injury and one through suspension as his team limped to a 13th place in the 18-team Jupiler Pro League.
He was used sparingly last term and it was no surprise the Belgians did not extend his contract.
Bolingoli celebrated his 29th birthday on Monday with the news he would be seeking new employers in the forthcoming season.
* TOMORROW: Don’t miss the adventures of another former Celt in CQN’s EXCLUSIVE series.
