DR Congo’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha eyes fresh start at Gent after Celtic nightmare

DR Congo international Michel-Ange Balikwisha is determined to revive his career at Belgian side AA Gent after enduring a frustrating spell at Celtic, where regular first-team football proved almost impossible to come by.

The 25-year-old forward joined Gent on a season-long loan from Celtic, with the Belgian club holding an option to sign him permanently for £3.5 million. His move brings an end, at least temporarily, to a difficult period in Scotland following his £5.5 million transfer from Royal Antwerp.

Balikwisha managed just 398 minutes of first-team football at Celtic despite being fit and available for selection. His lack of opportunities continued through spells under Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy and Martin O’Neill, leaving the DR Congo international searching for a fresh opportunity to regain his confidence and form.

Speaking to Nieuwsbald after Gent’s victory over Oud-Heverlee Leuven, Balikwisha made clear how important his return to regular action is.

“It gives me immense pleasure to be back in action.

“I am a player who, above all, really loves playing football. Whatever happens, I think it is wonderful to be on the pitch. That is why I am so happy to be here. I want to rediscover the joy of playing football here.”

Gent move offers Balikwisha a lifeline

The Belgian club’s interest also played an important role in convincing Balikwisha to return to a league he knows well.

“Moreover, this is a club that plays in Europe, and of course, I know the Belgian league very well. In addition, AA Gent followed my situation closely and really wanted me to relaunch my career here.

“It’s not that I would not have been interested in Gent if they hadn’t qualified for Europe. I had contact with the coach before, and he made it clear to me then that he really wanted me to join.”

Balikwisha’s immediate priority is to rebuild his match fitness and establish himself within a competitive Gent squad. He has already begun that process, making brief appearances as he works towards being capable of completing an entire match.

“Last Sunday I played about ten minutes, and today (Thursday) it was 20 to 25. I want to continue building this way until I can complete a full match again.”

Brother William adds special touch

His latest appearance also provided a memorable personal moment, with Balikwisha facing his older brother William during Gent’s meeting with Leuven. Celtic loanee Shin Yamada was also involved in the match.

Reflecting on the unusual family occasion, Balikwisha said: “That was a very nice moment, when I saw him smiling on the pitch again, but I mainly came here to play as much as possible and win trophies.”

Despite arriving from Celtic with a significant reputation, the Congolese forward accepts that his new surroundings will not automatically guarantee him a starting position.

“There is a lot of competition here, but that is no different elsewhere. On the other hand, you also have to show respect for the team.

“Just because I come from Celtic doesn’t mean I can immediately claim a starting spot. I will have to prove myself, like everyone else. Of course, I hope to get more playing time in the long run, like I did previously at Standard and Antwerp.”

African forward targets return to his best

Balikwisha also appears encouraged by the atmosphere within his new team, describing Gent as a close-knit environment where he can develop steadily.

“On the other hand, I found a very quiet and family-oriented club here. The group is very modest and also quite young.

“Some of the guys are only just starting out in the Jupiler Pro League, but we are on the right track to achieving something great. I feel really good. Physically, I can also continue to grow step by step.”

After struggling to establish himself in Glasgow, Balikwisha now has the opportunity to rebuild his reputation in familiar surroundings. A productive campaign could not only restore his confidence but also persuade Gent to activate the option to make his move permanent.