Celtic’s squad feels bloated after six winter signings, with Martin O’Neill working hard to compensate for a poor summer of recruitment. The mix of players now gives him two or three options in most positions, though whether this is a case of quantity over quality is still unclear.
On Wednesday against Livingston, several key names were missing from the squad. Kelechi Iheanacho, Paulo Bernardo, Joel Mvuka and Michel Ange Balikwisha did not feature, alongside long-term absentees like Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Jota. O’Neill has had to make tough selection decisions, and Balikwisha’s continued exclusion will not surprise many, as his time at Parkhead has been far from successful.
Balikwisha’s best position remains uncertain. Celtic’s £5 million investment in the DR Congo international has not paid off, with the winger largely a peripheral figure. It was surprising that the club did not attempt to move him on in the winter, though there may have been few takers for a player who has yet to score in Scotland.
Signed after a long pursuit by the Parkhead hierarchy, Balikwisha struggled to replicate his form from Royal Antwerp, where he excelled on the left wing, scoring and assisting 32 times in 79 games. His AFCON duties over the festive period also disrupted his rhythm. Brendan Rodgers had identified him as a left-sided player in September, but O’Neill later described him as “more of a number ten” and “definitely not a wide player.” This lack of clarity has undoubtedly hindered his development in Glasgow.
Versatility has proved more of a curse than a blessing for Balikwisha. In green and white, he has managed just two assists. Among last summer’s signings, only Kieran Tierney and £1.7 million signing Benjamin Nygren can be considered genuine successes, while Sebastian Tounekti is only now regaining form. Balikwisha remains on the sidelines, and injuries have limited Osmand and Iheanacho for much of the campaign.
Other signings have also struggled to make an impact. Hayato Inamura was loaned out last month after being repeatedly overlooked, joined by compatriot Shin Yamada. Signed from Kawasaki Frontale for £1.5 million, Yamada’s time in Glasgow was largely forgettable. He failed to register a goal or assist before moving on loan to German second-tier side Preußen Münster for the second half of the season.
Yamada’s minimal impact contrasts sharply with Kyogo Furuhashi, who had been prolific in the J League. While Furuhashi scored 42 goals in 95 games for Vissel Kobe, Yamada had 25 goals in 86 games before arriving at Celtic. Like Balikwisha, he has failed to deliver, with injury disruptions affecting both players.
With Yamada now on loan, his Parkhead chapter appears over, leaving Balikwisha a small window to make an impression before the season ends. Celtic’s recruitment over the past year highlights a mix of misfiring high-profile signings and a few successes, leaving O’Neill to navigate a squad with depth but significant questions about quality and fit.