Soccer: O'Neill hopes Balde heads for Parkhead

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill insists he knows nothing about Toulouse defender Bobo Balde's change of heart over a move to Parkhead.

The 25-year-old was due to complete his move to the Scottish treble winners this week but then admitted an offer from German club Wolfsburg had interested him.

But the Parkhead boss admitted he had heard nothing from either the player or his agent about the interest from the Bundesliga side.

"I haven't any word from his agent, nothing has changed," said O'Neill. "Hopefully I will hear from him before Christmas."

Balde admitted to having second thoughts about his move after being swayed by the late offer after originally verbally agreeing a five-year deal with the Scottish treble winners.

"I am still hesitating because I received a very interesting offer from Germany. Wolfsburg are a very ambitious," Balde said.

O'Neill watched his side stroll to a comfortable 3-1 win at Shelbourne in the last of their pre-season friendlies in Ireland.

Jackie McNamara, Mick Doyle and Tommy Johnson scored for the Hoops while Brian Byrne netted for Shels.

Teenager Doyle had put the visitors 2-1 in front with 18 minutes to go but O'Neill urged the youngster to show patience for the forthcoming season.

"I was pleased for him, given that he didn't get much time to impress and he took his goal exceptionally well," said O'Neill.

"But it is going to be extremely hard for him and a lot of our other youngsters to break into the current side and they just need to be patient."

Shaun Maloney is a comparative first team regular and he also impressed in the game at Tolka Park.

"With his pace, he is always capable of getting a few goals," said O'Neill.

"In my days, if you hadn't 50 appearances by the time you were 21, you would start to worry.

"These days, the players seem to have a little bit more on their side."

O'Neill also had plenty of praise for opponents, Shelbourne, who succumbed to two goals in the final quarter hour.

"It was very competitive and an excellent work-out for us,"said O'Neill.