£5million winger Balikwisha checks in at Celtic and declares: Bring on Rangers!

Michel-Ange Balikwisha has told Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers he is ready for an Old Firm baptism of fire after agreeing a five-year deal at Parkhead.

The 24-year-old winger has joined the Scottish champions in a £5million deal from Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp and insists he is all set to hit the ground running at Ibrox this weekend.

‘I need to be ready because it’s the most important game for the fans and for the club,’ he stated. ‘And if I play in the game, I will give my best to help the team win this big game.

‘For me, it’s the right move because it’s a big club, they play well and they dominate the league. I’m a player who likes to press and to give everything, so I think it’s the right choice to come here to continue like I did at my former club.

‘I’m here to help the team, to get some trophies, to play in Europe and win everything, so that’s why I’m here.

‘I’m a guy who likes to run deep, to have the ball at my feet, to come inside and to score, so that’s why I hope the fans will be happy to see me here. I will give everything for the club.’

Balikwisha spent the past four years with Royal Antwerp and, in 2023, helped the club win their first Belgian league title since 1957.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, said: ‘He is a really talented, exciting player with a good level of experience at a high level already, so he will be an important player for us moving forward.

‘He loves to attack and can play both sides of the pitch, so we are sure he will give the team some great options.’

Balikwisha is also looking forward to linking up with a familiar face in his former Belgium Under-21 team-mate Arne Engels.

‘He’s a good guy and I’m happy to see him here,’ he said.