Celtic have the best defensive record in the Premiership this season, with just 19 goals conceded in 34 games.

One figure in Ange Postecoglou's squad who has contributed a lot towards that impressive feat is Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Since arriving on loan from Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in last summer's transfer window, the centre-back has been a pivotal player for the Hoops, with 41 appearances to his name across all competitions (28 in the league), scoring four goals and providing one assist.

Presumably as a result of his efforts on the pitch at Parkhead, there have been reports emerging that the Bhoys are looking to secure the American on a permanent deal once his loan spell ends in the summer. However, it seems as though the Hoops could have some competition on that front, which could be worrying for Postecoglou.

What's the news?

According to journalist Matt O'Connor-Simpson in a recent tweet, Carter-Vickers is "attracting plenty of interest" in terms of a potential summer transfer.

He said: "Fulham & Southampton are the latest to join the race but the likes of Crystal Palace, West Ham & Wolves are looking too. Celtic obviously keen but pull of Premier League football is an issue."

To highlight how much of a defensive unit the 24-year-old has been for the Bhoys, he has the joint-highest number of interceptions to his name, along with 19 successful tackles and the highest average of clearances per game in the Celtic squad.

His overall performances have earned him a solid seasonal rating of 7.36/10 from WhoScored, making him the fourth-highest rated player currently at the club.

Postecoglou will be gutted

With all of that in mind, it's safe to say that Postecoglou and the Celtic fans would be bitterly disappointed to not see Carter-Vickers put pen to paper on a permanent deal at Parkhead in the summer.

The American has never truly found a home during his career, being loaned out by Spurs on no fewer than seven occasions, but WhoScored performance metrics indicate that he has found his best form in Glasgow, so hopefully he will realise that and duly lay down roots in Scotland.

Moving forward, if any Premier League club does try and sign the defender once the summer window opens, the Bhoys must hope that they can convince the defender to stay where he is and continue his upward trajectory at Parkhead rather than making a move back to England, where he could need to prove himself all over again.

In other news: Postecoglou can finally axe £20k-p/w "disaster" as Celtic plot bid for "insane" talent