Celtic Set To Pip Chelsea For Boro Star?

Last updated : 07 June 2009 By Boro Mad
Chelsea have shown interest, but Turnbull wants "regular first team football", and Celtic would give him his chance ... Chelsea obviously couldn't having strength in depth already.

Turnbull is out of contract at the end of the month and has rejected an offer of a new deal after making 22 Premier League appearances last season.

He has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Boro chief executive Keith Lamb says the 24-year-old wants to leave in order to play regular first-team football.

Lamb: "Ross has written and told us that he's rejected our contract offers and he will be free from the end of June to join whichever club he chooses.

"We didn't want Ross to leave, we've been negotiating with him and his agent for the last eight months. We felt he had a future at Middlesbrough and we made him a number of offers over the last 12 months.

"They were exceptional offers for a goalkeeper who has played less than 30 games for Middlesbrough's first team. Each one was rejected by Ross and his advisors and consequently he has now informed us that it is his intention to pursue his career elsewhere.

"The reason Ross consistently gave us (for not signing) was that he wanted to play regular first-team football.

"I assume Ross will be going to a club where he will get regular first-team football. But we don't know who that club will be, time alone will tell. We wish him well and hope it works out for him."