No fears over Donovan starting, a debut for Balikwisha

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The Celtic Star

·30 August 2025

No fears over Donovan starting, a debut for Balikwisha

Tomorrow is not a free hit, we need to get a victory, beat theRangers and put that Champions League disaster to one side. No excuses, Celtic, no excuses…

Celtic huddle at Ibrox, May 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

It’s a rather strange feeling heading into the first Glasgow Derby of the season tomorrow. Usually the week leading up to such a clash is dominated by claims of bravado from both sets of supporters, but such is the current scrutiny on both sides, there’s hardly been any of the usual tension leading up to the big day.

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As for Celtic, a one hundred percent record without conceding a goal has us well placed at the top of the table six points clear of our latest Glasgow rivals who’ve failed to register a win in the league so far despite having an easier start on paper.

In some folks thinking that would represent a free hit heading into the cauldron that is Ibrox, especially with our lacklustre attacking options at the moment, then think again.

Arne Engels at Ibrox. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

But there is no such thing as a free hit in these games, and this one is no different as we look to create a significant gap between us and our most realistic title challengers, creating a huge psychological boost in the process. It could also turn out to be our last chance to secure a victory over theRangers in 2025.

We’ve been hugely disappointing in our last few Glasgow Derby outings, indeed our last success in the league in this fixture was this time last year, which quite frankly isn’t good enough for Celtic against the latest Ibrox club.

Can we afford to lose? Not a chance, we have to win, it’s what the supporters demand and deserve, especially;;y after the manner in which our Champions League hopes hit the rocks on Tuesday night. There can be no excuses against theRangers tomorrow. Go out and do what Club Brugge did to them and redeem your own European shortcomings in the process.

On the next page…Michel-Ange Balikwisha must start at Ibrox

Michel-Ange Balikwisha must start at Ibrox

We will kick off at Ibrox tomorrow lunchtime in the first Glasgow Derby of the new season, with every Celtic supporter asking the same question – who will provide our attacking threat against theRangers after our two matches against Kairat without scoring a single goal?

Daizen’s big chance. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

With doubts lingering over the future of Adam Idah at the club, Daizen Maeda clearing misfiring, James Forrest much better as an impact substitute rather than a starter and Yang not inspiring any great confidence, it casts a huge doubt over our chances of leaving Ibrox with all three points.

Defensively we are sound, but as for creating and finishing chances, we have been well and truly underwhelming. And it’s a problem that is growing rather concerning.

The hunt goes on for new recruits, with bids for Kasper Dolberg and Sebastian Tounekti ongoing, but as for the here and now, we are very low on quality in the final third.

Royal Antwerp FC v OH Leuven – Jupiler Pro League DEURNE, BELGIUM – AUGUST 10 : Balikwisha Michel-Ange forward of Royal Antwerp FC celebrates scoring a goal with teammates during the Jupiler Pro League match between Royal Antwerp FC and OH Leuven on August 10, 2025 in Deurne, Belgium, 10/08/2025 Deurne Belgium Photo: Gvg/ IMAGO

Michel – Ange Balikwisha of course signed for the club during the week and he’s already been pictured training with his new teammates, and for me it’s a no brainer that he’s handed a start at Ibrox. As Brendan has already stated, the Belgian is match fit and ready to play if need be, so it makes perfect sense to hand him his debut tomorrow lunchtime.

Benjamin Nygren celebrates scoring during Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

I’d get him in the team on the left and play Benjamin Nygren on the right with Daizen Maeda through the middle. That opens the door for Arne Engels to start in the middle of the park alongside Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate.

On the next page…Colby Donovan worthy of a start tomorrow

Colby Donovan worthy of a start tomorrow

With Alistair Johnston out for a lengthy spell, and Tony Ralston one hundred percent after taking a knock in Almaty, we face quite the conundrum as to who starts in the right back berth at Ibrox tomorrow lunchtime. Ralston missed training yesterday but the manager reckoned that’d he’d be fine – but he would say that wouldn’t he?

Anthony Ralston of Celtic substituted for Colby Donovan of Celtic. Celtic v Livingston, William Hill Scottish Premiership, Football, Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, UK – 23 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Yet all indications are that Tony could yet make the starting line up but if he is sidelined, the other option available to Brendan could be that of young Colby Donovan who appeared from the bench against both Livingston and Kairat and impressed on each occasion.

Colby who turns 19 in just over a weeks time is a highly rated prospect within the club, and was said to be on the verge of a loan move to Dundee until Alistair Johnston’s unfortunate hamstring injury forced the Celtic manager into a rethink.

Colby Donovan of Celtic celebrates their goal to make it 1-2 Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 08 July 2025. Photo Lorraine O’Sullivan Shutterstock

Colby received plaudits for his cameo in Almaty despite the outcome, catapulting him into the thoughts for a starting spot at Ibrox as we vie to create that nine point gap between us and Russell Martin’s team.

Some would say that Colby is young and inexperienced, and it would represent a major gamble flinging him into the pressure pot that is Ibrox on derby day, but as the old saying goes, if you’re good enough you’re old enough. And he’s certainly very good indeed.

The other thing this would do is send out a message to the Celtic Academy players that there is now a better pathway to the Celtic team as tomorrow could illustrate perfectly.

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