Luis Palma faces Celtic transfer dash to make Rangers derby debut as he's spotted jetting into UK

Celtic signing Luis Palma is facing an Old Firm showdown dash as Parkhead chiefs look to cut through the red tape surrounding his £3.5m move.

The 23-year-old Aris attacker is itching to get to Scotland but hold ups over the paperwork for the Honduras star could delay his unveiling. Palma was last night pictured departing Greece as he headed to the UK and personal terms expected to be completed imminently.

Hoops chiefs are hoping to get the deal rubber stamped sharpish and race through sorting out work permits and international clearance. Celts face Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday and would love to have the flying machine – who is set to be handed the no.7 shirt – on board for training in the build up. Palma's former club in his homeland are also waiting on the 20 percent kickback from their Aris sell-on clause – with £800,000 set to provide a major boost to their coffers.

Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers is also targeting more signings with a centre back on loan at top priority as Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh are all out long term.

Celtic may have to sweat it out until the final day of the window however with several targets in negotiations over permanent moves. Meanwhile former Celt John Hartson insists Sunday’s showdown is the perfect chance to get Parkhead punters back on board.

The Hoops hero said: “It’s a huge game for Celtic. It was a disappointing game on Saturday, failing to beat St Johnstone at home. There are not many times Celtic fail to beat a team that’s tipped to go down at home.

“The fans were obviously aggrieved by the performance, because the week before, losing at Kilmarnock – not good enough. This weekend, what a great opportunity to put it right at Ibrox. It will be intense, it will be