Former Celtic midfielder David Turnbull scored a brilliant header this evening for Cardiff City. The Blues met Premier League giants Chelsea in the EFL Cup Quarter Final and gave a good account of themselves until two late goals gave Enzo Maresca’s side the lead win.
With the game entering the final fifteen minutes, Turnbull made a trademark run from the midweek and got on the end of a cross to header the ball into the top corner.
David Turnbull’s header has brought Cardiff level against Chelsea 💥 pic.twitter.com/iweAnzbEav
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 16, 2025
Turnbull made the surprise switch to Cardiff City in January 2024 with his Celtic deal running down. Despite their relegation to League One, the player appears to be playing regularly and doing well but it is a far cry from the highly rated player that arrived from Motherwell and excelled in Ange’s first six months.
David Turnbull was a good football player, and possibly still is, but unfortunately for him he harkened back to the days of the old fashioned playmaker sitting in the middle of the pitch. Good with a pass. Decent long shooting. But not much else. No sprinting around, chasing down opponents, racing into space, no dig or fight in the box, or relentless energy and pace that managers covet in all players these days.
When you look at the abysmal quality on display at the moment, those flashes of skill from the much maligned (and I feel slightly unfortunate) Turnbull could have served him much better in a different set up. He certainly never rushed anything, but he could pick a pass and he could hit the back of the net. Good luck to him.