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Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images
Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

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Celtic fans name midfielder labelled ‘top class’ by pundit as Player of the Year

Adam Miller
Adam Miller

There’s no getting away from how disappointing a season it’s been for Celtic.

This weekend sees interim manager John Kennedy start their Scottish Cup campaign, with that trophy representing their last chance of silverware before the campaign ends.

A shock Betfred Cup defeat against Ross County was accompanied by limp exits from the Champions League and Europa League.

Most damagingly, Neil Lennon’s team crumbled in the Premiership with 10-in-a-row on the line.

20 points behind their rivals with five games remaining, it’s hard for Celtic fans to summon many happy memories from 2020/21.

That being said, there have been a couple of positives.

After weeks – if not months – of clamour from supporters, David Turnbull was finally given his chance in early December.

After scoring in the 3-2 win against Lille, he didn’t look back.

It’s no surprise, then, that an of Celtic supporters has seen the 21-year-old crowned Player of the Year.

In the one-hour poll, Turnbull was the clear winner with 46.7% of the 2,608 votes.

Kristoffer Ajer was second with 30.9%, while reported Arsenal and Tottenham target Odsonne Edouard lagged behind in third with 12.8%.

9.6% selected ‘Other’, with Aberdeen-bound captain Scott Brown among those mentioned in the replies.

Michael Stewart spoke of Turnbull in glowing terms when he talked to in February, saying: “His ability and football brain is there for all to see.

“Everybody has seen the impact he’s had for Celtic since he’s been put in the side. And for anyone who has seen him before for Motherwell, you can tell he’s top class.

“As long as he has that hunger and desire I don’t see why he can’t go and play at the highest level. I don’t see why Celtic shouldn’t build a team around him.

“He has got to be the identikit of what they want to build a team around. He’s young, Scottish and has all the ability in the world.

“Celtic need to determine who’s staying and who’s going, and Turnbull is right at the top of the ‘Who needs to stay’ category.”