Former Scotland defender Alan Hutton believes Celtic are in danger of missing out on the permanent capture of Cameron Carter-Vickers this summer. 

The lowdown: Deal on the table

Following the completion of a successful season-long loan spell at Celtic Park from Tottenham Hotspur, the Hoops are now faced with an initial £6million option to buy the 24-year-old centre-back.

However, amidst interest from the likes of Southampton, Fulham, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Wolves and Everton, the USA international was non-committal on where his future may lie when discussing a 'special season' in Glasgow.

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Now as the 2021/22 season prepares to draw to a close once and for all this weekend, one recognised pundit has delivered his own verdict on whether the deal will get done, seemingly going against previous reports that a deal is almost done.

The latest: Permanent switch a 'big question mark'

Speaking to Football Insider, former Rangers man and regular BBC contributor Hutton suggested that Celtic face a battle to get bring Carter-Vickers to Parkhead permanently.

The 37-year-old said: “The big one for me is what happens with Carter-Vickers? That’s the big question mark.

“He’s been a rock at the back, he’s made Carl Starfelt a better player. If he goes, that’s an almighty gap that you are going to have to fill.

“That’s the biggest, interesting point for me with this team moving forward. The Carter-Vickers one is the big one.”

The verdict: Spot on

The eight-cap America international trends closely alongside star names such as Villarreal stalwart Raul Albiol, Wolves ace Max Kilman and Leicester City favourite Caglar Soyuncu when using the FBref player comparison tool, highlighting the powerful defender's rise to prominence.

From a Celtic perspective, Carter-Vickers earned the sixth-highest average Sofascore rating with an impressive 7.33 in the Scottish Premiership, behind only Ryan Christie, David Turnbull, Jota, Matt O'Riley and Anthony Ralston.

Keeping a player of Carter-Vickers' evident talent would be a huge feather in the cap of Celtic and indeed Ange Postecoglou, perhaps rubber-stamping the development and a sign of things to come at Parkhead under the Greek-Australian boss.

In other news: Celtic are now eyeing 'very exciting' youth international, read more here