Celtic legend Chris Sutton has been left baffled by the ‘bizarre’ sale of David Turnbull as well as Alexandro Bernabei’s sudden departure from the Scottish Premiership champions.
The Hoops’ board has come under plenty of criticism of late for the players Celtic have brought in to Parkhead – many of Brendan Rodgers’ signings flattering to deceive so far – but there are also questions to be asked about those who the club let go.
In David Turnbull, Celtic sold a player who had relegated the influential Reo Hatate to the bench earlier in the campaign to the tune of just £2 million. Turnbull also scored seven goals in just nine league starts before joining Cardiff City in January, his rather puzzling departure forcing Rodgers to throw 18-year-old Daniel Kelly in at the deep end during last weeks’ 2-0 reverse at Hearts.
Sutton has been left equally bemused by the departure of Alexandro Bernabei. Not because the Argentine was a key performer under Rodgers – on the rare occasions he did start, the Argentine struggled at both ends of the pitch – but because of the lack of left-back cover in the Celtic squad.
Celtic move out three first-team players
“Why the heck have Celtic allowed Alexandro Bernabei to leave? It just doesn’t make sense to me,” Sutton asks the Daily Record.
“Listen, the Argentinian is no world beater. But he’s a left back. And it might have gone unnoticed at Celtic Park but that is a problem position for them. They only have Greg Taylor now. And while he’s been a consistent performer, he’s had some injury problems.
“Celtic are now in a title run in with no cover. It’s madness.”
There is no getting away from the fact that Celtic’s squad looks weaker now than it did at the start of 2024, the departure of Liel Abada to Charlotte FC in the MLS also robbing Rodgers of a reliable goalscoring threat from out wide. Nicolas Kuhn, brought in from Rapid Vienna, has struggled to emulate Abada’s impact in Glasgow.
“I get Liel Abada’s departure. It’s unfortunate and a hugely disappointing turn of events that have cost Celtic one of their most effective players. But allowing Bernabei to go after the abject failure of bringing in a replacement in January just makes no sense whatsoever,” Sutton adds.
“What got me was the fact David Turnbull wasn’t there (at Hearts). 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.”
Adam Idah a rare success story
At least Adam Idah, signed on loan from Norwich City, has made an early impression. Idah scored five goals in his first five Scottish Premiership games. Including a couple of stoppage time strikes which kept Celtic within touching distance of Old Firm rivals Rangers at the top of the table.
Celtic host Livingston in the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Parkhead on Sunday.
HITC Football, meanwhile, understands that Bernabei’s departure to Internacional was made in an attempt to free up funds for Coaimhin Kelleher’s arrival. The Liverpool goalkeeper is Celtic’s first-choice – ahead of Ugurcan Cakir – to replace the retiring Joe Hart.
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