By all accounts, Michel-Ange Balikwisha is aware of a factor or two about timing his runs to perfection.
With the switch window set to open in a few weeks, the Antwerp participant may additionally have timed his comeback from damage to perfection amid ongoing curiosity from Celtic.
The 23-year-old, whose most well-liked place is on the left wing, was excessive on Brendan Rodgers’ want checklist final summer season till a critical muscle damage sidelined him for a number of months.
‘Two golf equipment (Celtic and Rennes) saved negotiating to probably nonetheless carry him in,’ Antwerp CEO Sven Jaecques lately confirmed.
‘However, within the meantime, we all know that such golf equipment will fairly concentrate on January anyway.
‘He should now return as quickly and as match as potential after which we’ll see what occurs.’
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers can be in search of new recruits within the January switch window
Antwerp’s spectacular Michel-Ange Balikwisha, above left, would tick numerous bins for Celtic
Balikwisha has simply returned from damage and is primed for a £5m transfer over subsequent few weeks
That return occurred final week in opposition to Charleroi. The previous Belgian Below-21 worldwide confirmed no ill-effects and he seems to be again within the store window.
With a price ticket of £5million on his again and his contract expiring in 2026, Antwerp can be eager to do enterprise once more. Balikwisha ticks each field from Celtic’s perspective.
Frozen-out defender opens talks about his long-term prospects
Celtic defender Stephen Welsh is about to exit in the hunt for first-team soccer within the January window.
The previous Scotland Below-21 worldwide has began only one sport – a 5-2 win over Falkirk within the Premier Sports activities Cup.
Whereas Welsh was a goal for golf equipment in Italy, France and England in previous home windows, Celtic have been eager to maintain the 24-year-old to bolster their quota of homegrown gamers for his or her European squad.
Eager to see extra first-team motion, Welsh plans talks with supervisor Brendan Rodgers over his long-term prospects.
Stephen Welsh has dropped out of Rodgers’ plans and appears set to maneuver elsewhere
Luis Palma additionally appears to be heading for exit door after failing to ascertain himself
Forgotten man Maik Nawrocki is contemplating his choices on the Parkhead membership, too
And, regardless of being underneath contract till 2027, he hopes to acquire the inexperienced mild to go and play after slipping behind Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Maik Nawrocki within the pecking order.
Welsh is unlikely to be the one Parkhead participant heading out the door within the New 12 months, with Luis Palma and Nawrocki additionally contemplating their choices.
Suitors are scorching on the path of Parkhead academy prospect
Celtic are working out of time if they’re to stop on-fire teenage striker Daniel Cummings from changing into the most recent academy product to depart the membership earlier than making an affect at first-team degree.
The 18-year-old striker has loved a prolific season with the membership’s B staff, elevating his profile with six targets in six UEFA Youth League outings, the final of which got here in opposition to Dinamo Zagreb final week.
It’s understood that Sunderland, Wolves, Fulham, Ipswich and Burnley are occupied with taking the Glasgow-born striker throughout the border.
However Cummings might have choices additional afield with Bologna, Brugge and Salzburg scorching on his path.
Scorching property Daniel Cummings is being tracked by prime golf equipment in England and past
Together with his contract because of expire subsequent summer season, the striker might speak to events on the flip of the 12 months.
In latest instances, Celtic have seen Aidan Borland transfer to Aston Villa, Daniel Kelly signal for Millwall and Ben Doak agree phrases with Liverpool.
Except a deal may be struck with Cummings within the close to future, he’ll turn into the most recent participant to maneuver on for a compensation price earlier than supporters may even familiarise themselves along with his face.
Celtic purpose centurions are exhibiting no indicators of stopping
Solely 30 gamers have scored 100 targets or extra for Celtic. Are you able to identify which two are nonetheless enjoying and the place?
There are not any prizes for guessing the obvious one – James Forrest lately signed a contract extension and, at Hampden final Sunday, he joined Bobby Lennox because the membership’s most embellished participant with 25 honours.
The winger has scored 108 targets throughout the previous 15 seasons and desires simply two extra to equal John Hartson’s haul of 110. It might be a courageous man who bets in opposition to that occuring.
The opposite participant in that illustrious checklist who’s nonetheless strapping on the boots is Leigh Griffiths.
Forrest is in search of two extra targets to match John Hartson’s haul of 110
Hartson was a prolific scorer for Celtic however veteran Forrest is catching him up
Forrest would nonetheless have a way go to degree with ex-team-mate Griffiths on 123 targets
Griffiths, proven throughout his Celtic days, is now enjoying in Australia
The ahead won’t add to the 123 targets he claimed throughout eight years in Glasgow – a tally that left him joint 18th on that checklist.
However on the age of 34 he’s gearing up for an additional season with semi-professional aspect Mandurah Metropolis in Western Australia after coming by way of his newest operation.
Griffiths definitely didn’t do himself any favours at Celtic along with his questionable professionalism off the park.
However, virtually three years after leaving the membership, the torrent of targets he scored must be recognised way more than it’s.
Celtic stars hit the bullseye with cheeky Ally Pally taunt
By no means thoughts ‘180’, the cries have been extra more likely to be ‘119’ on the Ally Pally this week.
Quite a lot of Parkhead stars attended the world darts championships in London to have fun the staff’s Premier Sports activities Cup ultimate victory over Rangers.
And it wasn’t lengthy earlier than defender Cameron Carter-Vickers held aloft an indication proclaiming the membership’s 119th trophy win.
Celtic gamers pose with the 119 signal at Alexandra Palace. Image: Taylor Lanning
The jubilant Celtic staff have fun their Premier Sports activities Cup ultimate victory at Hampden
Celtic and their Ibrox rivals had beforehand been degree on 118 trophy wins apiece of their historical past, with the Scottish champions now eclipsing Rangers within the silverware haul after Sunday’s epic triumph at Hampden.
The quantity 119 might not have resonated with everybody inside a raucous Alexandra Palace nevertheless it definitely hit the bullseye with all these Celtic supporters watching at dwelling.
Not since 1938 have the Parkhead membership been forward of their arch rivals within the main trophy stakes.
