Balde rejected Sunderland loan

Celtic defender Bobo Balde has revealed he turned down the chance of a three-month spell at Sunderland.

The 32-year-old, who has found himself out of the first-team picture at Parkhead and seems destined to leave, revealed Black Cats boss Roy Keane, whose interest in him was well known, tried to land him on a short-term deal in August.

Balde, who resisted attempts to offload him to the Wearside club, told The Herald: “I had been in contact with Sunderland manager Roy Keane on the last day of the transfer window.

“He wanted me, but only for three months. I didn’t want to go for three months, but (Celtic chief executive) Peter Lawwell didn’t find a way to let me go permanently.

“I didn’t refuse to leave just to be here playing reserve-team football.

“I refused to leave because I wanted everything to be clear, not the way Peter Lawwell, or anyone else, wants.”

Keane has been linked with another move for the Frenchman in January, when he will look to strengthen his squad further, although his interest in Manchester United’s Jonny Evans, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Stadium of Light, is no secret.

Balde has not started a competitive senior game all season, but scored in yesterday’s 2-2 Old Firm reserve-team draw with Rangers.

He was handed a four-and-a-half-year contract in January 2005 and is Celtic’s highest earner at a reputed £28,000 a week.

However, injuries have limited his participation and he is now regarded as the club’s sixth-choice central defender.