Belgian frontman Balikwisha was a target for the Hoops in the January transfer window
Celtic target Michel-Ange Balikwisha has been reprimanded by his assistant boss at Royal Antwerp after he likened the team’s defending in their defeat to Gent as something you would see at “U-8 level”.
The Belgian forward was on Brendan Rodgers’ radar during the winter window as the Hoops searched for a replacement for Kyogo after selling the Japan international to Rennes for £10million.
Celtic are said to be still keen on Balikwisha and reportedly sent scouts to watch him in person in their heavy 5-1 defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise at the end of March.
But after Royal Antwerp extended their run without a win in Belgium’s top tier to eight last Saturday, a furious Balikwisha slammed the performance of his teammates, saying: “I give good passes, but my teammates don’t finish them.
“Not everyone is perfect. But I’m tired of playing for nothing.”
And ahead of the trip to Anderlecht on Sunday, Antwerp assistant manager and former Rangers number two Andries Ulderink – who left Ibrox in January just a few weeks before Philippe Clement got the sack – has revealed he had to pull the player aside about his comments.
Speaking to Laatste Nieuws, Dutchman Ulderink said: “I spoke to ‘Bali’ about that.
“I think it wasn’t his best interview. He realizes that himself.
“He let himself be caught by the emotions of the moment.
“These are things that Ulderink would rather not see.
“It is good to be critical, but you have to be careful not to put yourself next to the team.
“The group of players also spoke to Bali this week. And that is all done – we are moving on.”
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