Opinion: 23-year-old Celtic star will have a big decision to make in the summer
Just what does the future hold for Celtic midfielder David Turnbull? When he first signed for the Hoops, it looked like he was going to be future star for the Bhoys after turning in some great performances for Motherwell.
However, he failed to hold down a regular first-team slot under Neil Lennon, and after being an ever present in the first half of Ange Postecoglou’s first season as Celtic manager, he has not been able to keep his place in the first-team after suffering a long-term injury in the 2021 League Cup Final.
The 23-year-old’s contract expires at the end of next season, and he and Celtic might well soon have to come to decision about the player’s future.
You would imagine that Ange Postecoglou would like to keep the midfielder at the club, after all, he has featured for Celtic 27 times this season, even though he didn’t start in a lot of those games.
Turnbull is perhaps a tad unfortunate that he is playing in what is probably the strongest area of the Celtic squad – midfield.
He has to battle it out with the likes of Matt O’Riley and Aaron Mooy for a place in the starting line-up, and Mooy has been playing excellently recently, not to mention O’Riley has the most assists of any player in the Scottish Premiership in season 2022/23, so you can see why it is has been hard for Turnbull to hold down a starting place in the Hoops side.
The player’s contract situation will most likely determine his future at the club, and he will have a big decision to make in the summer, if to sign a new deal or not, if he sees his future at Celtic Park. If the player doesn’t see his future at the club, it is probably best to look to sell him, which Celtic have been willing to do during Postecoglou’s time as Hoops manager.
In Turnbull’s time at Celtic, he has scored 23 goals in 104 appearances, which isn’t a bad return. but it is enough for the player to get an offer of a new and improved contract for the next few seasons? Only time will tell on that front.
Will Turnbull want to stay with Celtic when he doesn’t start every game for the Hoops? That remains to be seen. Sooner than later Turnbull’s future will be decided, and it looks like he will have a big decision to make if to stay with the Hoops, or take on a new challenge.
