Old Firm linked to European venture

Celtic and Rangers have received invitations to a new European club tournament. The plans for the new event – to be called the Golden Cup – are expected to be discussed at a gathering of the organisers in Madrid today.

A Celtic spokesperson said: "I believe we're welcome to attend the Madrid meeting. Although we won't be sending anyone along, we will be keeping in touch with its progress."

Campbell Ogilvie, the Rangers director and secretary, confirmed: "We've had communication from the Spanish group. I think they've written to 24 clubs about a stand-alone tournament to be played in midweeks."

Celtic are trying to sign the Slovakian international centre-half Stanislav Varga on a free transfer, even though the transfer window has now closed. Varga has had his contract paid up by Sunderland and is a free agent, which means he can now join any club as he is technically unemployed and therefore unaffected by the restrictions. The 31-year-old defender will head for Parkhead on trial this week and could join the Scottish champions as defensive cover.

Varga will be joined on trial at Celtic by the Croatian international midfielder Milan Rapaic, who was recently released by Fenerbahce.