Celtic, the Champions of Scotland, have maintained their domestic supremacy over rejuvenated Rangers shaking off the mid-season crisis following the exit of Brendan Rodgers. Neil Lennon stepped up under pressure and ensured a historic treble ‘treble’ with the utmost professionalism.
Although appointed in an interim role initially, the Northern Irishman has now been rewarded with a new contract to stretch his second spell as the Parkhead chief. The former Hoops skipper has earned his place but must continue the success story amid a potential mass exodus during the summer transfer window.
According to Sportsmail, Celtic are tipped to have a busy summer to reconfigure the squad and are plotting a move for David Turnbull. The Motherwell teenage sensation has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in the Premiership with 16 goals in 34 outings and is now being monitored by the Scottish giants as well as Brighton & Hove Albion.
Turnbull, 19, won the Scottish Football Writers young Scottish player of the year reward and received the nomination for PFA Scotland young player award as well. The Steelmen are yet to receive an official bid for the midfielder but has set a valuation of around £3m for their prized asset.
Motherwell have recently tied the youngster down to a new contract, and are expected to play hardball while negotiating a summer transfer. Yet the Hoops must step up the chase and rope him in by fending off the interest from the South Coast. They need to strengthen in a few areas before the upcoming campaign, and the midfield is indeed one of them having troubled the Bhoys all season due to inconsistency and a lack of variation.
Turnbull is hailed as one of the brightest prospects of Scottish football for his ability to drive the show from the middle of the park. He loves to operate in a box-to-box role but is also effective as a ‘number 10’ as well as left midfielder. His pace, footwork, work rate and scoring traits have drawn comparison to former Bayern Munich and Chelsea ace Michael Ballack.
Celtic have a crisis in the centre of the pitch with skipper Scott Brown having reached the twilight of his career. Nir Bitton is only useful as a back-up option whereas Olivier Ntcham has been a shadow of his earlier self having lost his first-team slot due to form and fitness concerns. Turnbull would fit in down the left of a three-man midfield, and also in the tip of a midfield four if Lennon prefers a diamond. A 4-2-3-1 would suit his style too, and the flexibility he offers should see him completing a transfer in the forthcoming future.
