That was much needed for Celtic over the weekend.
After a pretty flat start to the new season, Celtic left it very late to beat Motherwell, with Daizen Maeda netting a stoppage-time winner.
Hopefully, that is going to ignite Celtic’s season because, even by Brendan Rodgers’ own admission, the champions of Scotland have been ‘nowhere near’ their levels.
One man who can hopefully get lift off from the weekend drama is Michel-Ange Balikwisha, and James McFadden gave the new summer signing his flowers.
James McFadden praises Michel-Ange Balikwisha after Celtic’s win over Motherwell
Balikwisha came off the bench to assist Maeda with the winner, and McFadden told Sky Sports that his ball across the box was ‘outstanding.’
McFadden explained how it would have been ‘easy’ for Balikwisha to just ‘throw the ball into the box’, but felt that he did very well in picking out his Celtic teammate.
McFadden: “I would love to talk about my old team, but this is what Boydy watched. So, do you want to take this?
“Jens Berthel Askou said that he was going to play the way that he has been all season against Celtic. They did attack. They go, and they are brave. That’s the way he wants them to play.
On Celtic penalty: “He jumps up,” added McFadden. “His arms are up, and he makes himself bigger. It’s a penalty kick. I don’t know why you make yourself as big as that. It’s an easier decision to give the penalty.
On Nygren’s goal: “Callum Ward doesn’t cover himself in glory,” stated McFadden.
“It’s a gift for Celtic, and from that point on, you feel that the inevitable was coming. That pass (from Balikwisha for Maeda’s winner) was outstanding, for me. It would have been easy to just throw that into the box because you have got numbers in there. But it eliminates the players with the pass.
Kris Boyd ‘enjoyed’ Celtic’s win over Motherwell
Sky Sports were broadcasting Rangers’ draw at Falkirk, with McFadden and Kris Boyd as pundits, and after the game, they also analysed the Celtic match.
When Boyd tried to dig at Celtic, after a penalty was awarded against them on home soil, McFadden was quick to point out that he ‘enjoyed’ watching the champions in action.
Boyd: “I am not sure what’s a bigger surprise. Celtic scoring a 90th-minute-odd winner or a penalty being given against them at Celtic Park.”
McFadden: “You enjoyed that game, you watched that one, the Celtic game.
