Varga nearing end of Parkhead stay

Stanislav Varga’s agent has confirmed the Slovakian defender will be leaving Celtic in the summer – but has ruled out the player following Chris Sutton to Birmingham.

Tony McGill claims Rangers chairman David Murray is more likely to get a contract at Parkhead than Varga, having fallen out of favour with Gordon Strachan until recently.

The former Sunderland giant came in from the cold against Motherwell on Sunday and earned the praise of his manager following their 3-1 Bank of Scotland Premier League win.

But Varga, who was rescued from the football scrapheap by Martin O’Neill in July 2003, is expected to make way again when Roy Keane, Stephen McManus and Bobo Balde return.

McGill told PA Sport: “He is contracted until the end of the season but I doubt very much that Celtic will offer Stan a new contract.

“David Murray has a better chance of getting a new contract at Celtic than Stan Varga.

“He will be leaving Celtic at the end of the season.”

But McGill shot down suggestions he could be on his way to Birmingham as he also acts for Sutton.

He explained: “Birmingham are not interested but people are always looking out for players, especially at those who are out of contract in the summer.

“But I can categorically deny Birmingham are interested because I am Chris Sutton’s agent.”

Varga has struggled with injury problems but McGill still believes he has been treated unfairly by Strachan, who axed him following Celtic’s 5-0 drubbing against Artmedia Bratislava and 4-4 draw with Motherwell in July.

“We will find out next week what his situation is and whether he keeps his place,” added the agent.

“Stan has always been prepared to play for Celtic but he has been out for an awful long time.

“Shortly after the Bratislava game, the manager decided to change things around but he has given everyone a second chance apart from Stan until recently.

“He had to wait an awful long time to get a game but he played the last game and played very well.”