David Turnbull has explained his ‘fingers in ears’ celebration against St Mirren that upset some Celtic fans.
The midfielder scored an impressive equaliser but with his contract expiring in the summer there is plenty of online debate about his worth to the squad.
After starting the first six matches of the season the return of Reo Hatate and introduction of Paulo Bernardo saw Turnbull drop out of the Starting XI but injury to the Japanese midfielder as given the former Motherwell man a fresh opportunity although it was Bernardo that came on against Atletico Madrid and started away to Hibs.
Turnbull’s midfield value is topped up by a priceless ability to find the net from 20 yards out but right now his contract situation is taking up a lot of attention among supporters.
Addressing the St Mirren celebration he told the Glasgow Times:
I scored a goal, I was delighted, but sometimes boys get a little bit of criticism here and there. You try and block it out as much as you can, so that’s what I was trying to do. To be honest, I just leave [my future] to the club and the others that are involved with it.
I just try and do my talking on the pitch and try to focus on my own game. I’m not too focused on that at the moment.
UEFA regulations enforce Celtic to name four Scottish developed players in their 25 man squad.
They might not be the headline acts but Turnbull and Greg Taylor are essential to Celtic’s European hopes, replacing the ex-Motherwell man with Bernardo, Tomoki Iwata or Odin Thiago Holm effectively reduces the UEFA squad by one.