McLeish - Why Balde didn't sign

Birmingham boss keen to bring in a centre-half

Last updated: 5th September 2008

bobo balde celtic

Balde: Wouldn't sign clause

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

Birmingham had been optimistic of signing Balde before the close of the transfer window, only for the defender to stay at Parkhead.

McLeish was disappointed to miss out on the centre-half and explained the reason why the deal did not go through.

"We tried hard to bring in a centre-half, and it's no secret that it was Bobo Balde," McLeish told the Birmingham Mail.

"Balde chose to stay at Celtic because he refused to sign a confidentiality agreement, which meant he couldn't come.

Shame

"That was a shame, we were all up for that one at the club, the whole lot of us. But he chose not to leave Celtic on a matter of principle."

McLeish did not bring in any new faces on deadline day and he admits he did not want to make any panic buys, particularly with the loan window opening next week.

He added: "If money was no object - and we know it isn't at the moment - I would have looked at adding two or three players. But we have to be realistic.

"I made centre-back the priority position which, therefore, probably made sure I wasn't able to add a midfielder who knew all about this division or the Premier League.

"But there is still scope in the Championship to bring in loan deals. We didn't want to panic, we didn't want to go mad on the last day.

"And it was actually a relatively quiet day for me. I kind of resigned myself to the fact that we wouldn't be doing much, if anything."