It’s a question many fans online have posed as of late. Why does Neil Lennon insist on substituting David Turnbull out of games?
Since making the breakthrough at Celtic which took until a dead rubber against Lille for the manager to relent and play David, the midfielder has only been given the full 90 minutes twice.
The two games David did play in full were the games Neil Lennon was isolating and Gavin Strachan took the team. Every other time the player has started, he has been hooked by the manager before the full time whistle.
It’s certainly been a source of discussion and something which would likely be picked up by Celtic fan media if they were allowed to ask the manager his thought process behind the constant decision.
Frank McAvennie even brought it up talking to Football Insider at the weekend.
“I just do not understand why he keeps taking Turnbull off,” he told Football Insider.
“No disrespect to Scott but why is he not coming off before Turnbull? He is lively. He wants to do things. Scott could have come off after 70 minutes.
“That is why I am not a manager though, because I do not get it.
“You cannot keep taking Turnbull off just to give others a game. Turnbull is not going to be happy.
“He will take it right now but as a player, you do not like being taken off when you are playing well.
“Every week Lenny is taking him off and he will not be happy. I would not be happy if that was me.”
We know David came back from a long term injury this season but he’s a young lad and his fitness is surely up to scratch by now.
Is the manager protecting David? Or does he simply hook the midfielder and keep his more tried and tested favourites on the field?
Old pals act Lennon guilty of thisvweek in week out
Think he might be protecting him that was sticky heavy park man had two knee operation looked tired never touch ball 10minutes before being subbed wasnt getting back got the win plus got a game against on Monday
Sorry Wednesday
Must say what Maloney said at half time break was spot on
Lennon’s team selections are appalling. There’s no reason to drop or substitute Turnbull. What is tiring is Lennon, he’s gone off the boil and team selection is insipid. It’s time he was off, and I hope he enjoys his retirement.