BBC pundit Alan Hutton has backed Celtic to complete the signing of Dundee United goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist this summer.

The Lowdown: Celtic in talks with Siegrist

Joe Hart hasn’t been linked with a move away from Parkhead, nor is he soon out of contract, but given his age, it seems as though the Hoops are planning for the future and want to bring someone in that would be suitable to take his place down the line.

And it was reported by Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph just last week that fellow Scottish Premiership shot-stopper Siegrist is currently in talks to join the Bhoys upon the expiration of his deal at Tannadice Park at the end of the month, with a move looking highly likely to happen.

The Latest: Hutton’s high praise

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton was full of praise for Siegrist having trained and played alongside him at Aston Villa, and thinks that he would be the ideal fit for Celtic. He said:

“I know him well from playing with him at Aston Villa.

“He was only a young boy then and kind of stuck in a rut a little bit, where he wasn’t going to make the first team. The level he was playing at at Villa probably wasn’t good enough for him to progress. He did the right thing.

“He went out, he played, he got experience and I think since he’s come to the Scottish Prem with Dundee United he’s excelled, he’s shown his worth. Obviously, teams are sitting up and taking notice of him. He’s a big boy, he’s got a big frame and he’s a confident guy.

“I think you need those attributes if you’re going to play at a team like Celtic. I think obviously come in as a number two but looking to challenge the likes of Hart moving forward.

“Any player coming in, when you’ve got the experience of Joe Hart, you’d be a sponge around them. You just want to ask them everything. These are the kind of guys that will be able to help you out.

“They won’t be like: ‘You’re my competition, I’m not going to help you.’

“They would show him the ropes, show him exactly what’s needed to play at this high level. He’s been there, seen it and done it. Siegrist is a guy, I think, who would go in and learn off him but ultimately be looking to make the number one spot his own.”

The Verdict: The perfect candidate

Standing at 6 foot 3, the Switzerland international has all the potential to be a great signing for the Hoops between the sticks.

Not only has the 30-year-old got the size, as Hutton alludes to, but he also had a solid record in Dundee last season, keeping a total of 13 clean sheets across all competitions.

If Siegrist does put pen to paper on a deal at Parkhead, he probably will end up playing backup to Hart for the time being, but with four competitions to fight in next season he won't be short of chances to impress.

In other news… Celtic are now on the brink of completing the permanent signing of one of their standout loan stars.