McLeish still wants Balde

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is optimistic of completing a deal for Celtic defender Bobo Balde before the transfer window closes.

McLeish has been chasing the 32-year-old, who is out of favour at Parkhead and sees his contract expire next summer, since the start of the summer and a move to Birmingham fell through at the end of last month.

The former Scotland head coach told the Daily Record: "Bobo's on international duty with Guinea at the moment so we can't take things any further until he gets back.

"But we are hopeful a deal could be done. We've looked at a million centre-backs and Balde is still the one who stands out."