OPINION
Celtic are clearly trying to start their summer transfer business early in their bid to win their ninth consecutive Scottish Premier League title.
The first area Neil Lennon is looking to improve is his midfield, with the Hoops having launched a bid for Motherwell starlet David Turnbull (Source: BBC Sport), only for it to be rejected.
Ex-Celtic man Chris Sutton seems to believe that signing Turnbull would be a waste of time for his former club, as he wouldn’t get a game with better options in front of him at Celtic Park.
In his column on The Daily Record, Sutton said: “Unless players make way then there is no room to accommodate Turnbull at Celtic.
“The teenager needs to play regular first-team football and capitalise on the magnificent season that he has just had.
“If you look at the Celtic midfield area then you have to ask where would a player like Turnbull fits in at the minute.”
Sutton is barking up the wrong tree to condemn Celtic’s pursuit of Turnbull as the club need the midfielder to arrive as he’d be a positive addition.
Neil Lennon has also been linked with making a move for Charlton youngster Joe Aribo by The Guardian, who would be in a similar boat to Turnbull in regards to forcing a way into the starting picture.
If anything, the 19-year-old’s breakout season at Fir Park, in which he won the SFWA Player of the year award, has proved he is more than capable of stepping into the Celtic midfield at any given point next season.
Turnbull scored 16 goals and delivered seven assists at Motherwell this season and would add another dimension to Celtic, whether that be starting or from off the bench.
Both Tom Rogic and Ryan Christie have endured average seasons, to say the least, and the introduction of the 19-year-old at a bargain price of £3million, if that’s how much he goes for, could be the motivation each Celtic midfielder needs ahead of their push for another title.
Lennon must act quickly to add Turnbull to his side this summer or face losing the young Scot to rivalling teams elsewhere, or worst yet, another quality season at Motherwell could drive his price tag through the roof.
However what can be said right now, is that Sutton is barking up the wrong tree to moan about Celtic pursuing Turnbull.