Joel Mvuka

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The Celtic Star

·8 February 2026

Joel Mvuka – Let’s not write off Celtic’s debut Bhoy after just 45 minutes

Writing Mvuka off after just 45 minutes is unjust, unfair and frankly daft…

7th February 2026 Celtic Park, Scottish Cup, Celtic v Dundee. Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken clears from Joel Mvuka of Celtic. Photo David Young

New signing Joel Mvuka was handed his debut in Saturday evening’s Scottish Cup clash with Dundee at Celtic Park, with Martin O’Neill naming the Norwegian attacker in his starting XI, and it’s safe to say that he far from impressed the watching Celtic support, whether at the ground or watching on Premier Sports or Celtic TV.

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Mvuka looked a bit nervy, and didn’t exactly show he’s a player who can make a difference to our powderpuff attack, and Martin O’Neill like everyone else was equally unimpressed which was evident when the Norwegian didn’t appear in the second period, being replaced by veteran James Forrest, who was just as disappointing it has to be acknowledged.

Joel Mvuka of Celtic Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Cup, Fifth Round, Celtic Park, 07 February 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/ Shutterstock

This has led to a section of our support judging the former Bodo/Glimt player as a flop and writing him off after just 45 minutes of action. That’s an outrageous take, even by our own supports hard to please attitude.

In my own opinion, Mvuka didn’t look anything special, or better than anyone we already have in the squad, but I’m prepared to give him the time he deserves to prove otherwise. He deserves it after all. We need to look at the bigger picture before judging his ability as a footballer.

And as Sandman noted in his Definitive Ratings earlier today on The Celtic Star at least Joel Mvuka was able to get some crosses into the Dundee box in that first half.

He looks rather raw, and perhaps lacking the required match fitness, which is understandable due to his limited game time at parent club Lorient, and it will naturally take a few games to get him up to speed. Indeed this could have been on Martin’s O’Neill’s mind ahead of kick-off, to give Joel 45 minutes to edge him into the challenge of playing for Celtic.

Joel Mvuka of Celtic Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Cup, Fifth Round, Celtic Park, 07 February 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/ Shutterstock

Mvuka was starting his first game at a new club, in a new country, with new teammates, whilst trying to adapt to a different style of football, so it’s only natural that he looked a little startled by the whole experience.

Some players hit the ground running, whilst some take time to adapt, everyone is different after all. Mvuka falls under the latter category, but it’s only fair we give him a chance to impress.

Writing him off completely is both unjust and unfair. And daft.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order