Ben Hutchinson will join Celtic in the summer

"He is something different from what we have got coming through from the younger lads," said Celtic's manager.

"He has made his Middlesbrough debut and we could speak to him because his contract is up.

"John Park has done a lot of work on it and I have given John the go-ahead to get on with it."

Hutchinson had come highly recommended to Celtic's football development manager.

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

There is a bit of investigating to be done into it Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate

But Hutchinson is not likely to join Gordon Strachan's squad until 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.

"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 Sport 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.