Celtic will be 'trying to do everything' they can to seal the permanent signing of Cameron Carter-Vickers this summer, according to Noel Whelan.
The Lowdown: Carter-Vickers excels at Celtic
The 24-year-old was loaned out to the Hoops last summer, with Tottenham never granting him regular football
Carter-Vickers' move to Parkhead proved to be a match made in heaven, as the American flourished at the heart of Ange Postecoglou's defence, achieving the fourth-highest WhoScored rating of anyone in the squad after last summer's transfer window.
Celtic are now trying to seal a permanent move for the centre-back, although there has been interest in him from other clubs in recent months.
The Latest: Whelan talks up permanent move for Carter-Vickers
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan claimed that the Hoops will be doing all they can to acquire Carter-Vickers' signature, with the player likely to reciprocate that, given how well the 24-year-old has done at Parkhead.
The former BBC radio pundit said:
"I think happiness to a player is very important, feeling wanted and belonging in a place. I think he’s definitely got that from Celtic as a football club and the fans.
"He plays regularly, we’ve seen the progression and how good he’s looked in the Celtic shirt. It’s an exciting team to be involved with as well with the style of play and the players they have been brought in.
"They won’t be looking to sit on that either, they’ll be looking to strengthen. With Carter-Vickers, he’s been an integral part of that defence. That’s why they’ve been so solid over the past season as well.
"I think Celtic and Carter-Vickers will be trying to do everything to make it happen, for him to stay there.
"They’re a European club, they’re massive, they’ve just won the Premiership. Why would you not want to be at a successful side who are playing in the Champions League as well?"
The Verdict: Simply has to happen
Given Carter-Vickers' influence at Celtic this season - he has been lauded as 'immense' by Chris Sutton - it is imperative that they get a permanent deal over the line.
He has already looked at home at Parkhead, slotting in seamlessly next to Carl Starfelt, and he could be a fixture in green and white for many years to come. An average of 4.2 successful aerial duels per game and a pass completion rate of 89.5% in the Premiership is a testament to his quality.
With Champions League football returning to Celtic in 2022/23, that should surely be enough to persuade him to sign permanently, rather than head elsewhere and risk undoing all the progress he has made in Glasgow.
In other news, Celtic have reportedly set their sights on another signing. Find out who it is here.