Picture the scene.
Scotland’s first international tournament in well over twenty years. The luck of the draw has pitted them against arch rivals England, of all people. A battling performance follows; yet much to the dismay of the Tartan Army, there is no creativity in midfield to grab them the match winner, despite there being options on the bench. It would be absolutely typical, wouldn’t it?
Celtic’s midfield maestro David Turnbull claims he is the man to fix that.
Turnbull, who joined Celtic from Motherwell in the summer for a fee of just over £3million, was shockingly omitted from the national team for the World Cup qualifiers back in March; leaving him no option but to tell Steve Clarke what is what, claiming he is back to his best fitness just in time for Euro 2021. Arguably Celtic’s player of the season, he has every right to – given the halfhearted performances of midfielder Ryan Christie, who has waltzed his way rather undeservingly into the national side; alongside the injuries of Ryan Jack and Kenny McLean who took their places in the national side ahead of the Wishaw Wizard.
I feel I would be ready. I’ve played consistently this year, I feel like I’ve played well.
Speaking to The Glasgow Times, Turnbull said:“It’s sitting there in the back of my mind, so we’ll wait and see what happens. It’s obviously up to Steve Clarke, and whoever he picks, you need to respect his decision. Obviously it’s a shame for the boys who are injured, but it opens doors for other people, whether that is me or anyone else. You see that and it gives you a wee bit of hope, but as I said, it’s not up to me.”
Turnbull is no stranger to summer injuries; a knee problem the summer before his Paradise move almost hampered his dreams of moving to Glasgow from Fir Park after a failed medical – however, after finally getting his dream move, The Scotsman has gone from strength to strength this season.
“I’ll just go out and try to perform as best I can, and whether Steve Clarke picks me or not, that’s up to him. I feel I would be ready. I’ve played consistently this year, I feel like I’ve played well. I’ve loved every minute that I’ve played and I’ve been delighted to have played as many minutes as I can. I’m feeling fit, it’s probably the fittest I’ve been, and after the season is done I’ll be looking to work hard and bring that into next season.”
“I feel I could make the step up. I’ve played under-21s football with Scotland and been around that for a few years. Obviously it’s a big jump, but I feel I am ready to make that jump.”
Not a word Turnbull has said is wrong there; let’s see if the former Kilmarnock manager is wise enough to pick one of the only bright sparks in an otherwise failing Celtic side in his 26-man squad later this month.
