O'Neill joy at Bobo's Boro snub

Bobo Balde could sign a new deal with Celtic after rejecting a move to Middlesbrough.

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is hopeful defender Bobo Balde will sign a new deal with the club after deciding against a move to Middlesbrough.

Balde has shunned a move to Boro and is now considering his future, with his current deal due to expire in the summer.

The Guinea star could have penned a pre-contract with any club, but he has not done so and Celtic are now hoping he may stay beyond the end of the season - although there are a number of clubs who will be keen on a summer deal, including Boro. 

"The situation with Bobo is great news for us," said O'Neill on Monday evening.

"First of all he is not going anywhere and leave on a pre-contract.

"There's been offers there - not only pre-contracts but actually to take him today for instance - but we're delighted that he's given it all consideration (and decided to stay).

"We are a good bit down the roads on talks on an extended deal at our own place but I am not going to pre-empt anything. But I am hoping that something may materialise."

O'Neill also confirmed that a third bid for Hearts star Paul Hartley had been rejected.

"We put in an improved offer which was dismissed by their board so from that moment on the contact was lost," he confirmed.

"We made a third improved offer which was rejected but who's to say what might happen in the future. Young Hartley is a good footballer, absolutely."