TURNBULL ALL SET FOR CELTIC
Star man to leave ahead of Parkhead clash
Motherwell hero David Turnbull is finally set to seal his move to Celtic for a club record fee – and could make his Hoops debut against the Steelmen on Sunday.
The 21-year-old saw a £3.25m switch to Parkhead fall through last year after a medical flagged up the need for preventative knee surgery, but the Hoops came back in for the midfielder this week.
Celtic are set to finally land their long-term target in a reported £2.75m deal, which could rise to £3.25m in add-ons.
It is a huge blow to the Steelmen, as the try to pick up the pieces following a disastrous start to the Scottish Premiership.
On Saturday they lost 1-0 to rivals Hamilton Accies in the Lanarkshire derby, leaving them without a win from their opening five league games and below Accies in the table.
A third-place finish last season has earned Motherwell a crack at European football and tomorrow night they host Northern Irish side Glentoran in a Europa League first round qualifier.
But they will almost certainly do so without their key player for the clash.
And if Turnbull’s move goes through this time, he could make his debut when Motherwell travel to Celtic on Sunday.
The former Coltness High School pupil – who was called into the Scotland under-21 squad this week alongside Allan Campbell – has been the standout for Stephen Robinson’s under-performing side and was man of the match during the Lanarkshire derby.
His early season displays haven’t gone unnoticed, with Hoops’ scouts Nick Hammond and Gavin Strachan keeping a close eye on the playmaker.
And ex-Motherwell midfielder Brian Kerr said earlier this week that he expected Turnbull’s exit to come sooner rather than later.
He said: “I think everyone knows what David’s got in his locker in terms of his ability and what he can do on the pitch.
“He’s come back and he’s already got off the mark. He’s very good at creating opportunities and some of his play and touches outside the box have been exceptional.
“David’s come back from an injury that kept him out for a long time, but he’s come back and hit the ground running right away, so he’s only going to get better, fitter and stronger.
“Only time will tell, but I think some time in the near future David will eventually go.”