Celtic flop claims Parkhead chiefs cost him World Cup dream as he reveals Rangers reality and eyes £20m payday

Michel-Ange Balikwisha has hit out at Celtic over his treatment in Glasgow - claiming the club's decision to block a loan move last season cost him the chance to represent DR Congo at the World Cup.

The winger has also opened up about the physical demands of Scottish football, revealing he was ready to ask to be substituted substituted just 10 minutes into his first match during an Old Firm clash against Rangers at Ibrox.

Now on loan at Gent, the 25-year-old hopes to revive his career, with the Belgian top-flight club holding an option to make his move permanent next summer. Balikwisha believes a successful spell could pave the way for a lucrative future transfer, suggesting Gent may opt to sell him on for between £15-20 million.

Celtic signed the Congolese international from Royal Antwerp in a £5 million deal last summer, with former manager Brendan Rodgers overseeing the transfer.

However, Balikwisha struggled to make an impact in Scotland, failing to find the net in 13 appearances. His opportunities became even increasingly limited following Martin O'Neill's arrival, leaving him on the fringes of the first-team.

Balikwisha ended a 14-month wait for a goal last weekend, scoring against Zulte Waregem, managed by former Rangers boss Michael Beale.

Reflecting on his difficult spell at Celtic in an interview with Belgian media, Balikwisha explained how events following his participation in AFCON contributed to his frustration.

He said: “I played in the African Cup of Nations with Congo and when I returned, Wilfried Nancy was gone and Celtic were playing a catch-up race in the league. Martin didn't want me in his squad anymore. It was as if I was paying the price for being away. But I wasn't the only one who wasn't playing.

“A three-month loan deal from the MLS was offered, but ultimately Celtic refused the loan. That was when I knew immediately the World Cup was gone for me. That hurt because I had contributed to Congo's qualification. But life doesn't stop and I hope there will be more World Cups for me.”

His struggles were not confined to football, with Balikwisha admitting the experience also took its toll on his family. “My girlfriend and daughters were having a hard time in Glasgow too. If they are unhappy, so am I,” he added.

Balikwisha confesses to struggling with intensity of Scottish football

The forward also revealed that the intensity of Scottish football proved a major adjustment after leaving Belgium, despite receiving assurances from ex-Antwerp manager Mark van Bommel that he would thrive north of the border.

“When I left Royal Antwerp to sign for Celtic, the manager told me I would be flying in Scotland,” Balikwisha admitted. “But it turned out I wasn't physically ready for Celtic. It's four times more intense than it is in Belgium.

“In my first match against Rangers, I wanted to ask to be substituted after ten minutes. It is sprint after sprint after sprint, even after a throw-in. My thighs caught fire. Every training session is like a match.”

Balikwisha described the exhausting demands placed on Celtic's attacking players during training under O'Neill, claiming the sessions left him struggling to recover.

“Martin forced the strikers to make extra runs. I was already knocked out, but after that I was in the dressing room stone dead! There was a teammate who thought he was going to die - he had to go to hospital for a check-up!”

Celtic flop plots lucrative escape route via Gent

Despite his unhappy time in Glasgow, Balikwisha is now focused on making the most of his opportunity at Gent and hopes the Belgian outfit will activate their purchase option.

He believes a permanent move could benefit everyone involved, particularly if his performances attract interest from other clubs. “If I perform well here, everyone wins,” he explained. “Myself, the manager Rik De Mil, who brought me back to the top and then Gent, who can make money off me. I think that is the goal as well.

“If Gent exercises the option, they can immediately resell me for £15-20 million. Everyone would be happy. We are commodities and I have no problem accepting that, as long as our work is rewarded.

“But money isn't the thing that I look at when I decide to sign somewhere - it's whether I can play there. That was my goal when I played as a kid on a Saturday morning and still is now.”

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