‘So intelligent’; BBC’s James McFadden delivers glowing verdict as Celtic close in on Turnbull

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Pundit James McFadden has delivered glowing praise of Celtic transfer target David Turnbull this week, speaking to BBC Scotland.

Celtic are reported to be on the verge of sealing a £3m deal for the midfielder this week (The Scottish Sun), with Neil Lennon himself confirming renewed interest in the U21 international earlier today (BBC).

McFadden was an icon at the Steelmen and knows a thing or two about playing in the Scottish top-flight before testing himself at the highest level.

He reckons Turnbull is the kind of player that doesn’t come through club academies in this country every day.

As quoted by BBC Scotland, the Scotland icon said: “David Turnbull is a special talent – and one that doesn’t come around very often.

“He’s got an aura on the pitch and I’m glad to see him back because he was out for a long time; the early end to last season has hopefully given him time to get his fitness and strength back and I think Motherwell will reap the benefits.

“The club initially put plans in place when the original deal was agreed with Celtic last year, so it is a tough decision for them – Turnbull will be very difficult to replace because of the way he plays the game.

“I just think Turnbull is so intelligent and technically gifted that it’s difficult to compare to him. It’s tough to produce players like that. The club have a difficult decision to make.”

The Celtic midfield, right now, is packed full of exceptional performers who have given Celtic so much.

From Scott Brown to Callum McGregor, Olivier Ntcham and Ryan Christie, it’s hard to see Turnbull making an immediate impact in the Bhoys first-team.

However, if you consider that Ntcham could leave the club over the next couple of years and Brown may retire in the same timeframe, suddenly we’re in need of players who can be mainstays in the squad.

Turnbull, at 21, helps with that succession plan and is already showing a level of performance in the Scottish Premiership to suggest he can provide competition for our regulars in the squad.

Making the move for him now, ahead of clubs in England, makes perfect sense.

In other news, Celtic’s move for Shane Duffy is said to be ‘on pause’.