Celtic Football Club News

• Nickname:The bhoys, The hoops
• Founded:1888
• Manager:Neil Lennon

• Ground:Celtic Park
• Capacity:60,832

Bhoys pair set for exit

31 Oct 2007 - 09:30:03

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Celtic duo Dianbobo Balde and Derek Riordan both look set to leave Parkhead when the transfer window reopens in January.

Balde, 32, has not featured for the Bhoys this season and has been told he is a long way down manager Gordon Strachan's pecking order.

The experienced defender was linked with a move to Sunderland to rejoin former Celtic team-mate Roy Keane in the summer.

"I have been told that I am not in the top two or top three, so I am down to sixth on the list," Balde told the Daily Record.

"I am very low on the list of players to play, so it is hard to think that I will play again.

"I don't know what was wrong, but if Celtic don't want me I will leave."

Meanwhile, Riordan looks set to follow his colleague out of the exit door after revealing his frustration at a lack of first-team opportunities since joining the champions from Hibernian last season.

"I've not had a chance at all and I can't do anything about that. The manager says he is fine with me, so I don't know what the problem is," he claimed.

"I've no regrets about coming here, but everyone makes mistakes. I've waited, but I've not been playing and I don't see it happening now.

"I'm not interested in a loan move. I'd rather just move and concentrate on another club."