Bobo Balde scared the living daylights out of opponents

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.