Ben Hutchinson will join Celtic in the summer

The 20-year-old has forced his way into the first-team squad at Boro this season and scored on his Premier League debut away to Manchester City.

Hutchinson is likely to join Gordon Strachan's squad in the summer.

Boro manager Gareth Southgate said: "It's something that has emerged over the last couple of days and I haven't even had a chance to speak to Ben."

Southgate added: "I don't want to say too much about that at this moment in time because there is a bit of investigating to be done into it."

Hutchinson has been named as a substitute for seven league games and started in the 2-1 win over Bristol City in the FA Cup third-round.

The striker joined Boro from Northern Counties East Football League outfit Arnold Town in 2006.

MY SPORT: DEBATE He is willing and strong but I don't think any Boro fans expected him to make it BreadnBoro

BBC Scotland understands that Celtic may offer to pay a transfer fee to enable Hutchinson to move before the January transfer window closes.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Scott McDonald are the established strikers at Celtic.

Maciej Zurawski, Chris Killen and Derek Riordan have also been used this season.

Strachan has stated he is keen to buy players who are investments for the future.