The Celtic squad is being trimmed. There is no doubting that as Brendan Rodgers confirmed it last week.
But just like Joe Hart, there is another contract situation that needs to be cleared up at Celtic before the January window windows. And it seems that Celtic are all over it.
David Turnbull will be free to talk to clubs in January. The 24-year-old’s £16k p/w contract [SalarySport] is up at the end of the season and Brendan Rodgers has opened up on why no deal has been signed yet.
Rodgers said [Daily Record], “David is a player we would like to keep, so it is not us here on the club side.
“He has to do what he thinks is right for himself.
“At this moment of time, he is still in the last year of his contract. Unless something changes, it is just a case of as long as the players are giving their all.
“It only becomes a problem if I don’t see the intensity that I want, the mentality that I want. That’s always something I am mindful of with players in the last year of their contracts.
“You have to be right on it or otherwise you can drift very easily, and think about other things. As a manager, I won’t let that happen no matter how good anyone is.”
Is David Turnbull deserving of a new Celtic contract?
There is no doubt the boy has talent. But what he does lack is consistency. Turnbull was preferred over Reo Hatate to kick the new season off and did start it off well.
Two goals against Ross County was followed up by insipid performances against Aberdeen, St Johnstone and Rangers and as soon as Reo Hatate was back fit, Turnbull was dropped to the Celtic bench.
But in fairness to Turnbull, he has produced the goods in terms of goals. Four in nine appearances is not to be sniffed at but as Rodgers has shown this season with Kyogo, it’s not just about what you can deliver in terms of hitting the back of the net.
The Celtic manager wants more and, as yet, the supporters are just not seeing it. Rodgers obviously rates Turnbull. The gaffer has said that he is one of the most ‘technical’ players at the club.
So the issue is not the talent that he possesses. He has that. He just needs to deliver more in terms of his overall contribution.
I’d like to see him stick around for another season or two. Just to see what Rodgers can do with him. Because if he can do what he’s done with the likes of Liam Scales then there is no reason to think that Turnbull cannot become a good player for Celtic.
In other news, ‘I’ve watched’: Pat Bonner believes 28-year-old Celtic player hasn’t been the same since Ange Postecoglou left