David Turnbull was a surprise starter ahead of Reo Hatate on Saturday and he certainly grabbed the chance by the horns. Well, it was a surprise only if you factor in Hatate’s outstanding contribution to the Treble winning campaign last season in comparison to the former Motherwell midfielder’s more modest input. If, as Brendan Rodgers has made clear, there is a clean slate for all players at the start of pre-season then it’s hard to argue that Turnbull starting spot on Saturday was both merited and justified.
And he certainly repaid the faith shown by the new manager. The Bull scored a brace and put in a decent shift in the 4-1 victory over Ross County on flag day.
David Turnbull has always had the ability that was never in question, but whether it was through injury or loss of form he seemed to struggle sometimes to nail down a regular starting position under Ange Postecoglou who eventually came to see him as a squad player, worthy of a place on the bench but seldom if ever a starter.
Yet David is a quality talent. He can pick a pass and has no problem finding the net. On Saturday he seemed to find a new level energy wise, he was popping up all over the place, as indeed was the message he received from the manager. He put in the graft as well as adding the goals and was very unfortunate not to get a hat-trick.
David’s situation is similar to that of a certain Stuart Armstrong at Celtic back in the summer of 2016. He too found a new level under Brendan’s leadership and became a regular starter at the club, becoming a regular at international level before winning a big money move to the EPL with Southampton.
Brendan Rodgers now looks set to do the same for David Turnbull. Here’s hoping David gets the new contract he wants, deserves and looks set to be on the table soon. He won’t regret signing it as he can become a very important player in the second Celtic era of Brendan Rodgers.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 7, 2023
Unfortunatly both players are completely different.
Turnbull doesn’t have the energy and pace that Armstrong has.
Yes but he will need to play like that for at least 60mins yes or midfield have to be on top sometimes in games him and O’Riley go quite in games ar times that just cant happen they have to be invovled in everything when not on the ball have to follow it either to accept a pass or challenge for it we have id say midfielders in our squad in fact i would not swap them for any player in spl so Rodgers must play four or fve midfielders through the 90 mins he cant allow them not to drop intensity and im sure Rodgers will use the wealth of talent he has especailly midfield make them relise there game time is 60 mins at most for good the team