Balikwisha finished under O'Neill
Michel-Ange Balikwisha has no future at Celtic. Incoming permanent manager Martin O'Neill confirmed after the Motherwell match that the winger will be moved on. "There's one or two lads at this minute, like Balikwisha, who have not had a chance to play, I just said to him in the dressing room, 'With the next manager coming in, he will see what you can do.'" (1) The wording leaves little room for interpretation, Balikwisha is expected to be loaned out this summer, with O'Neill already planning without him.
Nygren signals summer exit
Benjamin Nygren looks set to leave this summer. The Swedish playmaker, on international duty, was blunt when asked about his Celtic future: "We'll see what happens." (2) Premier League clubs, including Nottingham Forest, and La Liga sides are circling. With just a year left on his deal, the lack of a permanent manager until recently may have already sealed his departure.
Saracchi deal now likely
Martin O'Neill's arrival makes a permanent deal for Marcelo Saracchi far more probable. "Yeah, I think they will bring Saracchi to the club permanently. I think they should do," O'Neill said, name-checking the Uruguayan left-back unprompted. (3) Saracchi impressed during his loan from Boca Juniors, and with O'Neill already talking as though he is in charge, Celtic look set to trigger the option.
What this means for the summer
The O'Neill appointment is already reshaping the squad before it is even official. Balikwisha out. Nygren probably out. Saracchi in. Your team is finally getting clarity after months of drift, but losing a creative talent like Nygren stings, especially if the late-season form was a sign of what might have been.
