Gordon Strachan has been told he would be wasting his time trying to take Wigan's Jason Koumas to Celtic Park after reports at the weekend linked the Wales internationalist with a move north.

Koumas, above, was reportedly a target for Celtic manager Strachan last summer, however, the Clydesale Bank Premier League champions lost out to Wigan after they shelled out £5.3m to land the West Brom midfielder.

The playmaker has strugged to make an impact this season and has been linked with a move away from the JJB Stadium, but the Wigan manager, Steve Bruce, insists he wants to keep his squad together for their relegation fight.

Bruce said: "I keep reading the stories about Jason - there seems to be something in the papers every day. But I haven't heard anything from any other club, and I don't envisage anyone going out. I don't really want to sell anyone. The squad has a nice balance."

Meanwhile, Bobo Balde, currently playing for Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, has told Strachan he will only leave Parkhead for "a club at a good level".

Bolton pulled out of a move for the 32-year-old last week because of his commitment to his nation at the tournament.

Balde was recently reinstated in the Celtic line-up after an absence of almost a year and admitted he would be quite happy to stay in Scotland as long as he is given more action.

Balde said: "I'm content at Celtic, but I would like more playing time. Will I leave in January? That's up to Celtic. I would only accept it if it was a club at a good level."