McAvennie tips ‘wonderful’ Turnbull to fill Brown void at Celtic
Frank McAvennie has tipped David Turnbull to fill the void created by Scott Brown’s Celtic departure.
The former Hoops hitman, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, sees similarities between Turnbull and a young Brown.
Brown, 35, recently left Celtic to take up a player/coach role at Aberdeen after a successful 14-year spell at Parkhead.
Turnbull, 21, made 39 appearances in the heart of Celtic’s midfield this year.
He impressed during a bad season for the club and won PFA Scotland’s Young Player of the Year award.
The midfielder picked up 10 goals and eight assists this season, a return that reminds McAvennie of a young Brown.
“It’s hard to find someone like Scott,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“There is no one else in that squad who is anything like him. I’ve got a feeling that Turnbull could be it.
“I see a lot of similarities between him and Turnbull, compared to when Scott first came in.
“He wanted to get forward and score goals, he was energetic. Then he had to change his style of play.
“I look at Turnbull, I can see him getting annoyed by things. In the longer term, he could turn into someone who can hold that midfield.
“He’s a wonderful talent and no one can actually replace Scott Brown. But if anyone at the club could fill that role on the pitch and in the changing room, it’s him.”
Turnbull’s form has seen him called up to Scotland’s squad for this summer’s European Championship.
He arrived at Parkhead last summer, joining from Motherwell on a four-year deal. [Glasgow Times]
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