BOBO BALDE today turned down the chance to join Birmingham City.

BOBO BALDE today turned down the chance to join Birmingham City.

And it is understood that Balde's decision to decline a move to Brum has nothing to do with the financial package being tabled by the St Andrew's side.

City boss Alex Mcleish offered the Guinea international a two-year deal earlier this week that fully met all the stopper's financial requirements.

However the 32-year-old has decided to stay at Celtic, despite being told by manager Gordon Strachan that he is not part of his plans.

A source close to the proposed deal confirmed: "Bobo has become fully settled in the city where his kids are at school and he loves the Celtic support. The Birmingham deal was perfect financially but this is not all about money and never has been."

Balde, who first joined Celtic from Toulouse in 2001, is contracted to the Parkhead club until next summer where he is currently earning around £28,000 per week on a deal that finishes at the end of the season.

However under Hoops boss Strachan the centre-back has become increasingly marginalised playing just 14 times in the past two seasons.

Derek Riordan will not be leaving Celtic before the transfer window closes, according to the striker's agent.

The out-of-favour Scotland international, 25, has been linked with a move to Hearts.

But his representative, Jim McArthur, claims to have only received loan offers so far, which Celtic have rejected.

"Unfortunately for Derek, it looks like he will be at Celtic beyond the transfer window as the club are not receptive to loan deals and that's all that's been offered at the moment," McArthur said.

Riordan has failed to become a first-team regular at Parkhead since joining Celtic just over two years ago.

Meantime, Celtic target Paul Robinson today opted to sign a new two-year deal at West Brom, ending any hopes Strachan had of luring him north.