O'Neill to keep Varga on the Celtic books

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is set to hand Stanislav Varga a new contract, even though the defender has only made two appearances…

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is set to hand Stanislav Varga a new contract, even though the defender has only made two appearances for the club.

The Slovakian joined from Sunderland during January's transfer window but his first-team appearances have been limited.

He was part of the ill-fated team who were dumped out of the Tennent's Scottish Cup by First Division Inverness before being handed a surprise start against Kilmarnock as Celtic battled for the league title on the final day of the season - only to lose to Rangers on goal difference.

Celtic are currently in Sweden where their pre-season tour got off to a successful start with a 7-0 win over an amalgamation of two local sides, Kungshamn and Smogen and O'Neill intends to hold further talks with Varga when the squad returns to Scotland.

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He said: "We're here at the moment but when we get back to Glasgow we would hope to put the final touches on the deal.

But, while Varga should secure his future in the east end of Glasgow, the same cannot be said for goalkeeper Javier Sanchez Broto.

The former Airdrie and Livingston player was another player who O'Neill signed in January, as back-up to first-choice Robert Douglas.

His contract expired at the end of last season but he turned down a new deal and is believed to have returned to Spain to find a new club.