Veteran defender Bobo Balde has joined Valenciennes on a contract until the end of the season.

Bobo Balde, the former Celtic defender, insists the club owe him more than £200,000 and he has taken his case to PFA Scotland, the players’ union.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is set to renew his interest in Celtic’s Bobo Balde but faces a battle with Burnley for his signature.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has invited Celtic defender Bobo Balde to train with the club.

Henrik Larsson wrote about Celtic in two articles on his online autobiography this week.The first chapter discussed 2000-2002; “I started the new season feeling really good. Things just got better when we recorded a 6-2 win over Rangers in August. “I managed to get two of the goals and the first was one of the best I ever scored for Celtic. A long ball out was brilliantly controlled by Chris Sutton who chested it into my path. I ran on, nutmegged Bert Konterman and then chipped Stefan Klos. “It was an amazing game. There were around 60,000 supporters at The Park and they never stopped singing, including all the way through half-time. On a day like that there is no better place to be in the world than Celtic Park.”Larsson then discussed his “Celtic swan-song”, seasons 2002-2004.”The run to the UEFA Cup final was tremendous. The supporters were amazing and getting to that final meant so much to them. Ill never forget walking out onto the pitch in Seville and seeing a sea of green and white. “I scored twice and I felt we had a chance when the game went into extra time. Our fitness was good and I could see us creating chances. Unfortunately Bobo Balde was sent off and with a man down we found it very difficult.”I knew the following season would be my last at Celtic Park and that made it all very emotional. Celtic saved my career when I was struggling at Feyenoord and from being grateful to the club Id grown to love it. I also really loved living in Scotland.”Hearing the fans chanting my name for the last time as a Celtic player did bring a tear to my eye. Celtic had been a huge part of my life for seven great years and it was a time I would never forget. There is always a club that stands out for any player and for me that club is Celtic.”Click through to the articles, they are worth a read.

Bobo Balde is enjoying a paid Christmas and New Year ‘holiday’ from Celtic. The Guinean international defender is taking them to FIFA in a row over fines of around 100,000.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is not ruling out a renewed bid to sign Bobo Balde in January.

Gordon Strachan could soon be forced into naming himself, the ball boys, or even Bobo Balde among his substitutes should any more of his players succumb to injury.

Birmingham City’s Alex McLeish could have another go at signing Bobo Balde on a free transfer in January.

Alex McLeish says Birmingham target Bobo Balde chose not to leave Celtic ‘on a matter of principle’.