David Turnbull has been a Celtic target for years according to former Motherwell youth coach Gordon Young.
An offer of around £3m has been accepted for the midfielder with talks expected to be completed over the weekend to complete the transfer.
Celtic would have been well aware of Turnbull as he made his way through the ranks at Motherwell with Lewis Kidd, Liam Gormley and Paul Slane all making the switch to join the Celtic youth ranks.
First team football is the most important part of any players development with Motherwell able to give a more realistic opportunity to get involved at the sharp end.
After 27 SPFL matches last season Turnbull became the main man in Stephen Robinson’s side with his summer transfer becoming a case of where rather than if.
Young told the Evening Times:
“Because David’s had a nice upbringing and his family were grounded, they backed me every year when Rangers and Celtic came in, which was on an annual basis,” Young said.
“I would never have it that anyone could come back and say I never told them about clubs being in for them. I always kept the players informed, and the ones that were loyal are the ones who have all benefited; Chris Cadden, Allan Campbell, Jake Hastie, David Turnbull.
“It was my selling point at Motherwell. I’m a Motherwell fan, but when I was competing against Rangers, Celtic, Hearts and Hibs, I had to offer a pathway.
“I always thought it was better to sell them to Rangers and Celtic as established players, rather than them getting gobbled up as a nine or 10-year-old and becoming just another fish in the pond.”
Turnbull turns 20 on the 10th of July and is in line for his Celtic debut on July 9 or 10 when the hoops play their first round Champions League qualifier with the draw due to take place on Tuesday.
