CONFUSION last night surrounded the transfer of Celtic's Bobo Balde to Middlesbrough.

The 29-year-old has already passed a medical and agreed personal terms at the Riverside, but Hoops boss Martin O'Neill insisted the Guinean has still not made a decision about his future.

Balde played in Celtic's 1-0 win at Kilmarnock yesterday in what was believed to be his farewell appearance for the Bhoys.

"I assume he (Balde) will make his decision pretty soon," said O'Neill, who is still hoping Balde will delay his move south until the summer.

''He might well decide to sign a pre-contract with one of the clubs he has had offers from, or go now depending on an approach which hasn't happened. But that's his prerogative.

''I would like him to stay. I would draw comparisons with when Newcastle came in for him (last summer) at the last minute. We said no and he said fine and got on with it.

''I'm hoping that he will have that attitude until the end of the season but he hasn't signed for anybody yet.

''I think that is what he did (went for a medical at Middlesbrough) but he wants to take his time because it is a big decision for him.

''He is pretty happy at the club and it only seems ten minutes ago that we signed him from Toulouse. He has been terrific for us and I would be sad to see him go.

''I will be in a better position to say more on Monday or Tuesday evening but if he stays until the end of the season then I wouldn't have any problems.''

Following the arrival of Stephane Henchoz at Parkhead, Boro expected a £500,000 deal to go through with Balde lined up for his debut against Blackburn at the Riverside next weekend.

Meanwhile, skipper Gareth Southgate believes success in the transfer market could be the spark that reignites Boro's season.

Boro are out of both domestic cup competitions, Saturday's FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United coming after they lost their grip on the Carling Cup.

And while they remain in the top six in the Premiership, they have dropped points since the turn of the year, losing to Manchester United and Chelsea and drawing with Everton and Norwich.

Boro are also negotiating with Chelsea for one-time loanee midfielder Geremi ahead of today's transfer deadline and Southgate believes any new arrivals would only be good for club.

"Unless you are Chelsea, everyone can improve," he said. "If players can come in to improve the team that we have got, of course you welcome that, whoever's position that puts under threat. I think it would just spice things up a bit and give everybody a little bit of impetus.''

Read more about Middlesbrough here.