Ex-Celtic player Charlie Nicholas believes James McCarthy and David Turnbull could be offloaded if a deal for Tomoki Iwata is finalised.

Reports in the Japanese media suggest the Hoops are close to signing the Yokohama F Marinos midfielder for £820,000 and Nicholas claims both McCarthy and Turnbull may have to find other clubs as a consequence:

“With Tomoki Iwata likely to be Celtic’s latest arrival, the squad is looking increasingly heavy in midfield. If I was David Turnbull I would be worried, while James McCarthy’s days at the club seem numbered. Captain Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley are two massive players in there. Along with Reo Hatate and Aaron Mooy, that’s four players already in front of Turnbull in the pecking order for starting slots.”

“The Scot, has been a peripheral figure for Ange Postecoglou and now faces a two-match ban for the red card he copped against St Johnstone on Christmas Eve. The capture of versatile Iwata – another player who can operate in central midfield – would limit the game time even more for Turnbull and McCarthy.”

There is no doubt that McCarthy, in particular, looks destined to leave Celtic Park. The 32-year-old has played just five times this season and he hasn’t made a matchday squad since October. Nicholas claims about Turnbull are, though, up for debate.

Ange Postecoglou has only started the former Motherwell player on seven occasions this campaign so he clearly isn’t a favourite of the manager at the moment.

Even so, Iwata is a holding midfield player by trade so he wouldn’t be a direct replacement for Turnbull anyway. The prospective signing is more likely being lined up as a potential alternative for either Yosuke Ideguchi or Oliver Abildgaard.