Varga has signed until the end of the season

Celtic have cleared the red-tape preventing new signing Stanislav Varga from making his debut after England's Football Association was ordered to allow the player to move to Scotland.

The Scottish Football Association has received his International Registration Transfer Certificate from their English counterparts and is now proceeding to register the player.

A Celtic spokesman confirmed: "The Varga situation has been cleared up to a certain extent.

"I believe that the SFA have received the documents from the FA and are now in the process of registering the player."

we have been operating in a more challenging business environment from which Celtic has not been immune Celtic plc chairman Brian Quinn

The Slovakian international defender is now in line to make his debut against St Johnstone in the Tennent's Scottish Cup on Sunday.

He put pen to paper to a short-term contract, until at least the end of the season, last week after being released by Sunderland and received the necessary work permit.

But the FA refused to issue the International Registration Transfer Certificate required by the SFA to enable him to register as a Celtic player.

The SFA asked Fifa to intervene and instruct the English FA to issue the ITC in accordance with world football regulations.

Meanwhile, Celtic have also announced a loss of �5.64m before tax in their interim results for the six months to 31 December.

Celtic remain involved in four football competitions, including the Uefa Cup and turnover was reduced to �30.01m largely as a result of not progressing to the Champions' League first group stage.

Chairman Brian Quinn said: "The company's performance during the first half of this financial year, both on and off the field, has been heavily influenced by European competition.

"In addition, we have been operating in a more challenging business environment, from which Celtic has not been immune.

"Nevertheless, and looking ahead to the second half of the company's year, there are some signs from which we can take encouragement.

"Since the half-year end, we have announced an attractive three-year shirt sponsorship deal with Carling.

"We are still involved in four competitions, including the Uefa Cup and our manager has agreed to a new contract and is now devoting all his attention and energies to delivering success in these competitions."