Balde rejects Birmingham contract

Celtic defender Bobo Balde has turned down the chance to join Championship club Birmingham City.

Blues manager Alex McLeish had offered the Guinea international a two-year deal earlier this week.

But the 32-year-old has decided to stay at Celtic, despite being told by manager Gordon Strachan that he is not part of his plans.

Balde, who first joined Celtic from Toulouse in 2001, is contracted to the Parkhead club until next summer.

It is believed that Balde is picking up around £30,000 a week at Celtic but has not been a first-team regular under Gordon Strachan, playing just 14 times in the past two seasons.

His wage demands have scared off previously interested parties, including Wolves manager Mick McCarthy.

McLeish knows the player well from his days in charge of Rangers and Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League.

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