{"id":144008,"date":"2025-09-15T03:18:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T03:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/144008\/"},"modified":"2025-09-15T03:18:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T03:18:16","slug":"chris-sutton-issues-brutal-michel-ange-balikwisha-verdict-despite-celtic-beating-kilmarnock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/144008\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris Sutton issues brutal Michel-Ange Balikwisha verdict despite Celtic beating Kilmarnock"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chris Sutton isn\u2019t shy to mince his words when talking about Celtic. <\/p>\n

On Sunday, as Celtic<\/a> took on Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, the supporters were, either seeing new players for the first time, or still getting used to the new arrivals. <\/p>\n

One of them included Michel-Ange Balikwisha<\/a>, who made his Celtic debut at Ibrox before the September international break<\/a>, and he didn\u2019t impress during that drab goalless draw. <\/p>\n

With a break in domestic action during this past fortnight, off-field noise taking over, and Balikwisha getting a few more training sessions under his belt, this was his chance to showcase to his new supporters what he has in his locker, but he fell flat on his face. <\/p>\n

\"Michel-AngeMichel-Ange Balikwisha is unveiled as a brand-new Celtic player<\/p>\n

Credit: YouTube\/Celtic TV Chris Sutton critical of Michel-Ange Balikwisha as Celtic beat Kilmarnock <\/p>\n

It got so bad for Balikwisha that, at half-time, with the score 0-0, Chris Sutton<\/a> wanted the versatile forward hooked off.<\/p>\n

Speaking on Sky Sports Football<\/a> (14\/09\/25), Sutton wanted Rodgers to \u2018get him off\u2019, and explained that he was seeing \u2018nothing\u2019 from the winger.<\/p>\n

But just as Daizen Maeda opened the scoring for Celtic<\/a>, Balikwisha was replaced by Rodgers for Forrest. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are used to seeing from Celtic, trademark Celtic,\u201d said Sutton. \u201cHatate making those brilliant underlapping runs. Seeing a threat from the right-hand side. <\/p>\n

\u201cBalikwisha has offered nothing. Brendan Rodgers needs to get him off and get a threat on the right-hand side. Get Forrest on.\u201d<\/p>\n

58′ \u2013 Substitutions for Celtic:<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd1b Forrest & Tierney
\u21a9 Balikwisha & Saracchi<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udfe60\ufe0f\u20e3-1\ufe0f\u20e3\ud83d\udfe9#KILCEL<\/a> | #CelticFC<\/a>\ud83c\udf40<\/p>\n

\u2014 Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 14, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

Balikwisha\u2019s numbers for Celtic against Kilmarnock <\/p>\n

What doesn\u2019t help Balikwisha\u2019s cause is that, whilst he has had a quiet start to his new club, the man on the other end made an instant impact. <\/p>\n

Sebastian Tounekti was probably the best player<\/a> on the pitch, as he looked lively on his debut and was constantly taking on his man, as well as beating him. <\/p>\n

Whilst Tounekti was handed a rating of 7.31 by WhoScored, Balikwisha was rated at 6.37.<\/p>\n

Shots: 0Key Passes: 1Passes: 25Passing accuracy: 88%Accurate crosses: 1Unsuccessful touches: 2Touches: 34Fouled: 1Rating: 6.37