Those Ibrox Covidiots and the Benefit of Hindsight Celtic Rethink Required on Boli Bolingoli

Istanbul Basaksehirspor today confirmed that they do not wish to take advantage of their option to buy on-loan Celtic left-back Boli Bolingoli, who will as a consequence be heading back to Lennoxtown for pre-season training.

The £3m signing from Rapid Vienna in July 2019 endured a difficult first season at Celtic after arriving as a replacement for Kieran Tierney after the Scotland star’s £25m move to Arsenal. Yet things went from bad to worse for the Belgian after he broke covid rules to travel to Spain to meet a woman after the opening Premiership game of the season against Hamilton.

All hell broke loose after the tabloids waited for his return and for him to be involved in Celtic’s next game away to Kilmarnock, when Bolingoli came off the bench on the closing stages of the 1-1 draw. The player was effectively thrown out of the game – and the country – as the Celtic rage was pretty much universal from those running the club through to the support.

Yet with the benefit of hindsight, compare the treatment and punishment dished only at the time most suitable to theRangers that their second wave of Covidiots received. Bolingoli would have every right for thinking it was one rule for him and Celtic and a different one for multiple Ibrox stars and their club – which was actually COMMENDED by the Scottish Government.

So maybe we should stand back and think about how severely Bolingoli was punished for his indiscretion and be prepared to give him the chance to impress Ange Postecoglou when the two get together?

The Basaksehir statement confirmed their decision not to proceed with the purchase of the Celtic full-back at the end of his loan period:

“The contract of Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo, who played successfully for one season under our orange-dark blue jersey, has expired.

“Our club has decided not to exercise the purchase option in the rental agreement with Celtic FC.

“We thank Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo for his efforts for our club and wish him success for the rest of his career.”

 

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

4 Comments

  1. Red Scotland on

    Boli went to Spain to get laid. He has my best wishes. The Covid scam is exactly that – a scam. We’re led to believe a mild flu equivalent is equal to the plague. Wake up people. The game was up last year with this nonsense. Take off your face nappy, pay only in cash, refuse the dangerous fast-tracked vaccines and go about your business., Everything is normal. And forgive Boli in the meantime whether or not he has a future at Celtic.

  2. It’s not just his actions that dismayed fans, but his lack of remorse and his cringe worthy instagram videos (“Time for a new challenge”) in response.

    The guys is, to borrow a phrase, a “space cadet”

  3. His selfishness started the rot for the entire season. He knew the rules, ignored them and left us playing catch up for the rest of the season. If his commitment to the team and winning the league was typical, it’s no wonder last season was so awful. Should never play for Celtic again.