Former Celtic striker John Hartson believes it’s time for David Turnbull to leave Celtic for the good of the Scotland international’s career.
Hartson is bang-on when he points out the former Motherwell star is clearly never going to be a regular starter at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers. And indeed that also the case under Celtic’s former boss Ange Postecoglou.
To be fair to Rodgers he did give Turnbull every chance to establish himself in his midfield at the start of this season, the manager’s first back at the club since replacing the Australian, who left to join Tottenham after the Scottish Cup final win over Inverness Caley Thistle last June, completed yet another Treble for Celtic, helping many Hoops fans to some serious pay-outs on the best Irish betting sites going.
Turnbull failed to hold down that starting slot and has now had to make-do with a series of substitute appearances late in games and he’s started to look increasingly disinterested, or at least that is the view of many Celtic supporters.
Hartson reckons that David Turnbull will now never be more than a bit-part player at Celtic but believes that he can go onto have a decent career elsewhere. And with Turnbull currently in discussion with Cardiff City that move could be confirmed over the next 24 hours or so as the clock ticks down to the transfer window closing.
Speaking on Go Radio, John Hartson had this to say about Turnbull’s situation at Celtic: “I think he is (on his way out), also with the resurgence of Bernardo, you have Hatate to come back, O’Riley and McGregor.
“His game time will just continue to be limited. He is okay when he comes off the bench, and has a few goals. But, in terms of the lad wanting to go out and make a name for himself and build his career again, if you like, I think the best way forward for David Turnbull is to move on because he can’t be guaranteed first-team football.”
Since those comments were made Reo Hatate has picked up yet another injury, this time when playing for Japan in their 3-1 Asian Cup Round of 16 win over Bahrain. The Celtic midfielder went down unchallenged with his hand in the air calling for assistance as he held his calf.
That Hatate injury could be a major blow to both Japan and Celtic in their quests for silverware and it could have a bearing on whether Celtic are prepared to let David Turnbull head to South Wales tomorrow or keep him at the club until his contract expires at the end of the season.
