Celtic Forwards Mvuka and Balikwisha Face Exile, Raising Transfer Regret

Celtic’s attacking options and supporters are left with reduced scoring firepower as loan signing mvuka and £5m summer arrival Michel-Ange Balikwisha remain largely unused, a situation highlighted Thursday at 2: 30 p. m. ET when interim manager Martin O’Neill addressed both players’ limited chances.

Immediate impact on Celtic’s attack from Mvuka and Balikwisha absences

The absence of regular minutes for the two signings has tangible effects on the squad: together they have produced no goals and only two assists across 15 appearances in all competitions this season, and the club has signed eight wingers or strikers since last summer in a bid to find reliable scorers.

Mvuka’s loan situation and matchday exclusion

Joel Mvuka joined on loan from Lorient in January and has yet to make a matchday squad in the Premiership; his debut in the SFA Cup saw him substituted at half-time against Dundee. O’Neill said the manager’s view was that mvuka is still getting used to the environment and the intensity required at this level.

Martin O’Neill and the stalled progress of Michel-Ange Balikwisha

Balikwisha was signed for £5m last summer but has struggled for impact: he has made 14 appearances in all competitions this season with zero goals and two assists, has not played a single minute in the league since October, and his last outing in any competition came against Auchinleck Talbot in the SFA Cup in January. O’Neill said he does not believe Balikwisha has had a proper chance and suggested that not having a full pre-season contributed to the player’s lack of minutes.

Mikey Johnston and Benjamin Nygren frame the club’s transfer choices

Questions about recruitment are sharpened by the fate of players sold and retained: Mikey Johnston was sold for £3m in the summer of 2024 and has since delivered 11 goal contributions in 34 league games for his new club, with two goals and nine assists, while Benjamin Nygren has provided a consistent scoring return with 15 Premiership goals since his move last summer and has outscored an 11. 15 xG tally by a notable margin.

For now, Celtic must weigh whether promoting existing signings into regular minutes or making further moves in the transfer window will restore attacking balance.

If the current coaching setup gives Balikwisha and mvuka extended pre-season work and sustained minutes, their status could change and they might earn a regular role going into the next campaign.