Celtic midfielder David Turnbull has to consider making a loan move elsewhere in January to earn more playing time, according to Frank McAvennie.

The Lowdown: Turnbull struggling for minutes

The 23-year-old is a brilliantly gifted footballer but he has really struggled to nail down regular minutes under Ange Postecoglou so far this season.

Turnbull only has four starts to his name in the Scottish Premiership in 2022/23 to date, with other midfielders simply preferred to him in most games.

It could be that a temporary switch during the second half of the season makes sense - that's certainly the opinion of one former Celtic hero.

The Latest: McAvennie talks up loan move

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie admitted that Turnbull should consider a temporary move in January:

"I do not think he is going to get in the team. He will get his bit part. I like him, I think he is a wonderful talent, he just does not have the pace that other people have got. He stops things and slows things down and I don’t think that is Ange’s way.

"He has got to get more game time and as a player that is really up to him. I am assuming Ange will tell him he is not going to get game time. That is a discussion only they can have.

"It is down to Turnbull and what his ambitions are and what he wants to do. He has got to play to get in the Scotland team. I think he should go on loan for six months if he wants to play."

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The Verdict: Best decision for all parties

It is a frustrating situation for Turnbull, without question, with the Scot arguably one of Celtic's most talented youngsters, having been hailed as 'phenomenal' by Alan Hutton in the past.

As McAvennie alludes to, however, the youngster arguably lacks the physicality to be the right fit in Ange's high-intensity style at the moment, which is why he is struggling to make his mark.

For that reason, joining another team on loan does feel like the best option for everyone concerned, allowing him to be a key man there and hopefully come back a more rounded player next summer.