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.”