CELTIC ended their lengthy pursuit of Michel-Ange Balikwisha when they finally sealed the £4.5million deal for the Royal Antwerp winger.
The champions had been trailing the goalscoring flanker for THIRTEEN months, as CQN reported last year.
Brendan Rodgers finally got the switch over the line and the 24-year-old forward could make a quickfire debut in the derby at Ibrox on Sunday.
GETTING SHIRTY…wide Bhoy Michel-Ange Balikwisha signs in.
Balikwisha was in a positive frame of mind when he was asked for his thoughts about being pitched in to the cauldron of a derby encounter.
The new Bhoy, who has signed a five-year contract, said: “I need to be ready because it’s the most important game for the fans and for the club.
“If I play in the game, I will give my best to help the team win this big game.
“For me, it’s the right move because it’s a big club, they play well and they dominate the league.
“I’m a player who likes to press and to give everything, so I think it’s the right choice to come here to continue like I did at my former club.”
Balikwisha, speaking to Celtic TV continued: “I’m here to help the team, to get some trophies, to play in Europe and win everything. That’s why I’m here.
THE WAY AHEAD…£4.5m new Bhoy Michel-Ange Balikwisha is hopeful of an Ibrox debut. Images courtesy of Celtic TV.
“I’m a guy who likes to run deep, to have the ball at my feet, to come inside and to score.
“I hope the fans will be happy to see me here and I will give everything for the club.”
The left-sided attacker is looking forward to teaming up again with his fellow-Belgian Arne Engels, the club’s record purchase at £11million from Bundesliga outfit Augsburg a year ago.
Balikwisha added: “I’ve played alongside Arne in the national team.
“He’s a good guy and that’s also why I’m happy to see him here.”
If the exciting raider does play at the weekend, he will be in good company as a new Bhoy taking a bow in Govan. Ange Postecoglou handed Alistair Johnston his first game as a Celt after the Canadian World Cup right-back’s £3.75million arrival from MLS outfit CF Montreal.
The defender showed the signs of things to come with a solid display in a 2-2 stalemate in January 2023.
