If Celtic are serious about finding a future replacement for Scott Brown then they should look to bring in Motherwell’s David Turnbull this summer.
The teenager netted 15 goals in 27 league starts for the Steelmen this season. That tally makes him the third top scorer in the Premiership, level with Celtic’s top hitman Odsonne Edouard.
What makes the 19-year-old’s achievement even greater is that he did it from midfield. Turnbull plays primarily as a centre-midfielder who likes to join in attacks. His forward play and tireless running is comparable to that of Brown while at Hibernian.
Motherwell playing hardball
Unsurprisingly, the Lanarkshire side are not keen to lose their top man. ‘Well chief executive Alan Burrows reckons it would have to be a record breaking deal to prize Turnbull away from Fir Park.
He told the BBC: “It would need to be a figure the club just couldn’t refuse, and that’s not going to be cheap.
“I would imagine it will set all sorts of records for this football club.”
The Steelmen’s current record received was for Phil O’Donnell. Celtic paid £1.75million for the midfielder in 1994 so a greater bid may have to be considered for Turnbull.
£2million would probably be in the ballpark for a figure acceptable to Burrows and the rest of the Motherwell board. Celtic could pay that and further incentivise the move by offering Turnbull back to them for another year or so. The Hoops did that recently with both Ryan Christie (Inverness) and Lewis Morgan (St. Mirren).
Whatever happens, Celtic need to make sure they’re at the front of the queue when Turnbull moves on.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
