Pundit verdict on Carl Starfelt joining Premier League club amid 'big' Celtic claim
Alan Hutton has suggested Celtic defender Carl Starfelt could handle a move to the Premier League in the summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Rangers defender insisted there is a "big gulf" between the Scottish and English top flights.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano (14 February), Premier League clubs are following the 27-year-old as a potential option in the summer.
It is believed the Hoops are keen to keep the Sweden international as he is viewed as an important member of Ange Postecoglou's side.
Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers have been the manager's go-to pairing at centre-back for the majority of the season, despite the arrival of Yuki Kobayashi in the January window.
Starfelt's current deal runs until 2025.
When asked if the centre-back has what it takes to make the jump to the Premier League, Hutton told Football Insider: "Of course it will be difficult.
"You even look at the likes of Kieran Tierney struggling for game time at Arsenal and he is an absolutely outstanding football player.
"There is a big gulf there, there is no getting away from that fact.
"He has been a rock at the back for Celtic, he has got a great partnership with Carter-Vickers. Only he will know if he is ready for that.
"I think there is signs there that he can go and handle it. But it depends what level we are talking about.
"For him it is just about concentrating at the moment and seeing what happens at the end of the season."