David Turnbull is probably the Celtic player who has benefited most from the change of managers at Celtic in June with Ange Postecoglou heading to Tottenham to be replaced by Brendan Rodgers. It’s far to say that Turnbull was far from a first pick for Celtic’s midfield while the Australian was in charge but after an impressive pre-season Turnbull emerged yesterday as a starter in the season opener against Ross County, scoring twice and unlucky not to have had a hat-trick.
Reo Hatate efforts last season were deemed irrelevant by the new manager who gave a clean slate message to the squad at the start of pre-season and that resulted in the Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley and David Turnbull starting in the middle of the park.
Celtic paid Motherwell £3.25m for Turnbull in 2020 but injuries and the competition for places at a club like Celtic has combined to restrict the impact that the Scotland midfielder has made so far. Also the previous change of manager, from Neil Lennon to Ange Postecoglou, didn’t help Turnbull’s appearance record as Ange clearly preferred other options in the squad, including of course Reo Hatate.
After his two goal, man of the match performance against Ross County, Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for David Turnbull.
“He’s a talent. I remember seeing him when I was first up here and I liked his game and he maybe just hasn’t quite hit the heights of what his talent is,” Rodgers said, as reported by Glasgow Times.
“I spoke to him in pre-season and told him it would be a shame if you don’t achieve what you can do at a club like this, because you have the talent, but you have to be a working talent, and you have to be able to run and be aggressive in your game. If you can do that, then your qualities will come through.
“He’s a player I really like. I love his care with the ball, his passing, and his efficiency. He gets in the box, he gets goals, and he maybe could have had a hat-trick,” the Celtic manager said.
And with the former Motherwell midfielder entering his final year of his current deal at Parkhead, Rodgers confirmed that the door is open for David Turnbull with regards a new contract at the Scottish Champions and league leaders.
“It’s a door that’s open for him. he maybe hasn’t played as much as he would like, but that’s his responsibility. I think he would like to be here but you have to consistently prove it.
“It was a clean slate over pre-season and he did very well with the ball and against the ball, which is important. You have to be able to play without the ball and he has demonstrated that,” Brendan Rodgers said after the 4-2 win over Ross County that this Beautiful Sunday morning leaves Celtic top of the league, looking down on theRangers.
David Turnbull has also been talking about getting a new deal to remain at Celtic. “I’m up for that challenge of proving I’m worthy of a new deal. I’m not thinking about it too much just now. I’m just going to play my football, try my best in every game and what will be will be.
“I’m just focusing on my game but, of course, I want to stay here. The County game was a big opportunity for me and I took it. To get two goals and a good result for the team always helps. It feels like a new lease of life for me. And long may that continue,” David Turnbull said.
