Peter Grant hits out at claims surrounding Michel-Ange Balikwisha after Celtic’s win over Auchinleck

Martin O’Neill made widespread changes to his Celtic side for Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie against Auchinleck Talbot, handing Michel-Ange Balikwisha a rare start.

The DR Congo international, recently back from Africa Cup of Nations duty, was given his first start under O’Neill as Celtic comfortably progressed to the next round. However, despite the expected victory over sixth-tier opposition, the overall performance left plenty to be desired.

Balikwisha found himself at the centre of the post-match criticism after being deployed in a number ten role, and former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant was particularly unimpressed with what he saw.

Speaking on Sportscene, Grant questioned the narrative surrounding Balikwisha’s best position. He referenced how the former Royal Antwerp player had initially been viewed as a winger, before suggestions emerged that he could operate centrally.

Grant argued that when Balikwisha was finally given that opportunity, he failed to make an impact — especially against opposition of Auchinleck’s level — and did little to strengthen his case for more minutes.

“You put people in positions, and it’s up to them to go and do their jobs,” Grant said.
“I look at Balikwisha. People say, ‘he is a wide player.’ Now they put him in as a number ten because everybody is saying, ‘he is going to be a number ten.’ I never saw that — and this is Auchinleck Talbot you are playing against.

“You have to find space, you have to show that, and you have to give the manager a problem. I didn’t see that.”

Grant added that while managers provide opportunities, responsibility ultimately rests with the players to take them — something he felt did not happen on this occasion. He suggested O’Neill would come away disappointed that several fringe players failed to make a strong case for continued involvement.

By contrast, Grant pointed to Callum McGregor as the standard-bearer within the squad. The Celtic captain once again retained his place and delivered a reliable performance.

“Callum McGregor is out there churning performance after performance consistently for many, many years,” Grant said.

“At clubs like Celtic or Rangers, when you get an opportunity, you have to grab it. I don’t think Balikwisha did that, and that gives Martin a problem.”