Bobo Balde scared the living daylights out of opponents

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The Celtic Star

·22 July 2025

Bobo Balde scared the living daylights out of opponents

24 years ago this week we signed the icon that is Bobo Balde…

Christian Gomez #10 of the MLS All-Stars and Dianbobo Balde #6 of Glasgow Celtic FC clash during the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on July 19, 2007 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Bobo’s gonna get ye was one of the best known catchphrase tunes in Scottish football in the early noughties, and a chant that was regularly heard from whatever stands the Celtic supporters happened to be present.

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It was dedicated to the fearsome Bobo Balde, a man mountain of a centre-back who sent chills down the spines of opposition players such was his physique, stature and undiluted aggression. Bobo was a terrifying opponent for any opposing defender, just ask Craig Moore of Rangers.

Andriy Shevchenko challenges Bobo Balde in a Champions League Group F match Celtic v AC Milan 07 December 2004 (Photo IAN STEWART/AFP via Getty Images)

Just ask any player who crossed paths with Bobo, such as ex Rangers player Craig Moore or even the big man’s very own teammates how fearsome the Guinean international was, and they will tell you how intimidating he could be, hence the catchy chant.

Bobo signed for Celtic twenty four years ago this very week for a fee believed to be £900,000 from French side Toulouse and it proved to be an astute bit of business. There was however some issues in France so it’s unclear where that money went.

Ronaldinho of Barcelona beats Dianbobo Balde of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Celtic and Barcelona at Celtic Park on September 14, 2004. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Martin O’Neill liked his centre backs a certain stature, and he certainly got that and more in big Bobo. Straight from the word go Bobo slotted into the Irishman’s three-man centre back system, and alongside the likes of Joos Valgaeren, Johan Mjallby and Stan Varga he helped form a fearsome and formidable backline.

Bobo was fully committed, strong in the tackle, dominate in the air, and contributed in the opposite box by scoring his fair share of goals. He was the complete centre back, and he scared the living daylights out of the most hardened and seasoned centre forwards.

Deco of FC Porto takes the ball past Dianbobo Balde of Celtic during the UEFA Cup Final match held on May 21, 2003 at the Estadio Olimpico in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

He was a little raw and reckless and certainly did have had his rash moments as every good defender does, but Bobo was a pivotal figure in our success domestically, whilst helping us make our mark on the European front.

Sure there were as many downs as ups during his time in Glasgow, but 233 appearances, 16 goals and 10 major honours make Bobo quite rightly an iconic figure in the eyes of the support.

Bobo was loved by the Celtic support and that remains the case to this day.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Read this – The backstory to Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter

Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered the late David Potter’s last ever Celtic book, Celtic in the Eighties, which will be published on the fifth day of September by Celtic Star Books. The link to pre-order your copy is below…

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out 5 September 2025. Available to pre-order now.