Pundit Exclusive: Celtic may already be in talks to sign giant defender
Alan Hutton has claimed Celtic will have already held talks over a potential move for Motherwell defender Declan Gallagher amid fears of a contract clause scuppering a deal.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Rangers and Scotland full-back believes the centre-half, a graduate of the Parkhead youth system, will be "rushing" to get a deal done before the end of the month.
The Daily Record report the 29-year-old, whose contract is set to expire this summer, is looking to force a move to the Bhoys.
This comes amid fears that a one-year extension clause, set to trigger after 25 league appearances, could end his chances of a return to Celtic Park.
Celtic are said to be keen on bringing back the giant defender, who stands at 6ft 5in tall (Transfermarkt), in a bid to bolster their defensive line following Christopher Jullien's crushing injury blow.
Gallagher, who spent his teenage years with the Bhoys and is reportedly from a family of die-hard Celtic fans, never made a first-team appearance for the Glasgow giants before his move to Clyde.
With the extension clause hanging over the defender's head, Hutton has suggested discussions will have already taken place between the Hoops, Gallagher's representatives and Motherwell to see if a deal can be struck sooner rather than later.
Speaking about the clause in Gallagher's contract, Hutton told Football Insider: "They (Celtic) have do it as soon as possible then, you play five, six games in the matter of a few weeks.
"If that's who they're looking at and that's their number one target, it will have to be done as soon as possible, in my opinion.
"I'm sure he'll be rushing it, if all the talks are true and they do want him.
"I'm sure they've had dialogue already, so everybody will be aware of this clause and they'll be trying to get it done as soon as possible.
"We'll have to wait to see what happens but I think he's definitely a player that would suit Celtic at the moment in a position that they need."