David Turnbull looks rejuvenated under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic this summer and he played a starring role in the opening Scottish Premiership victory of the season.
The midfielder was heavily involved against Ross County, scoring two goals and contributing to the move that led to a Kyogo Furuhashi first-half strike.
He had pundits and supporters lauding his performance and the initial signs look good that he can excel under a new manager.
But it brings his contract situation into sharp focus. Turnbull has less than a year left on his deal at Paradise, having signed a four-year contract when he joined from Motherwell in the summer of 2020.
For Rodgers, the responsibility is on the midfielder to show he is worthy of new terms but he has also stated the door is open for him to have a long-term future at the Bhoys.
Asked about Turnbull the Celtic manager said [The Herald]: “He’s a talent. I remember seeing him when I was first up here and I liked his game and he maybe just hasn’t quite hit the heights of what his talent is.
“I spoke to him in pre-season and told him it would be a shame if you don’t achieve what you can do at a club like this, because you have the talent, but you have to be a working talent, and you have to be able to run and be aggressive in your game. If you can do that, then your qualities will come through.
“He’s a player I really like. I love his care with the ball, his passing, and his efficiency. He gets in the box, he gets goals, and he maybe could have had a hat trick.”
On the topic of a new deal specifically, Rodgers continued: “It’s a door that’s open for him. He maybe hasn’t played as much as he would like, but that’s his responsibility. I think he would like to be here but you have to consistently prove it.”
Rodgers correctly doesn’t want to go overboard with Turnbull. Today was just one competitive match. For Turnbull to be a viable Celtic midfielder he has to string these performances over a series of weeks and months.
However, it does seem there is still a chance he can forge a future for himself at the Bhoys if he wants it. Rodgers is leaving that for Turnbull to show with his performances. If he has a storming start to the season through the autumn, no doubt the club will be very keen to sign him up for more years.
In other news, Celtic looking at Manchester City midfielder as summer transfer option.
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