It’s just bizarre- Sutton on January Celtic deal

Chris Sutton can’t see the logic in Celtic’s decision to sell David Turnbull to Cardiff City in January.

With his contract expiring at the end of the season a transfer fee of upto £2m was reported but that is likely to be performance related with the Welsh side not in contention for a promotion play-off spot.

Even so, with £67m sitting in the bank at the end of January Celtic accepted an offer for someone who had been involved in 16 SPFL matches, starting the first four SPFL matches of the season.

With Reo Hatate on his third muscle injury of the season and Callum McGregor carrying a known calf/achilles issue the decision on Turnbull seems questionable.

Sutton has watched a very unusual season unfold at his old club, discussing the Turnbull deal in the Daily Record the former striker writes:

At Tynecastle on Sunday Celtic were up against it, down to 10 men and needing to find a way back. Rodgers sent on youngster Daniel Kelly. No harm to the lad, as he could be the future of the club. But that was no environment for an 18-year-old.

Perhaps it was another message to the board – especially when £2m midfielder Odin Thiago Holm was left on the bench – but surely we are beyond that stage now?

What got me was the fact David Turnbull wasn’t there. This is a player who was keeping Reo Hatate out of the team at the start of the season but was then bombed out completely.

Again, I’m not saying he’s world class but he can affect a game when you are looking for a goal. But no, gone in January with no replacement signed. It’s just bizarre.

There is still no date for Hatate’s return, McGregor will miss the next two matches with the Livingston match on March 31 pencilled in for his return to action.