Celtic star David Turnbull given major Scotland incentive by Steve Clarke

By David Walton

March 4, 2021

David Turnbull has been given a big boost by Scotland boss Steve Clarke regarding his Euro 2021 squad.

Turnbull has been an ever-present for the Hoops this season since breaking into the team in December. As such, he only managed to start getting regular first-team football after Scotland had qualified for the Euros at the tail-end of last year.

But it’s becoming more and more obvious that the breakthrough midfielder is good enough to be part of Clarke’s first-team. Despite having the likes of John McGinn, Scott McTominay, and Callum McGregor available, Turnbull wouldn’t look out of place.

Yet the main question mark is whether Clarke would pick Turnbull over a player that helped him qualify for the Euros in the first place. Fortunately for David, it looks like Clarke is open to the prospect. In a Q&A session with Team United, the Scotland boss admitted there could be one or two “surprises” to his Euro squad:

“I think the players who did the hard work and got us qualifying deserve first chance. But before we get to the Euros we have three games in March. So there might me one or two surprises in that squad.

“Maybe one or two in that squad might force their way into my plans for the summer.”

The path is there for David Turnbull; Steve Clarke can’t ignore raw talent

In an ideal world for Clarke, Turnbull wouldn’t be in the discussion. He would already know who he’s picking for the Euros and Turnbull would be waiting until after the Euros to break through.

However, David is becoming far too good to ignore. He’s been bossing games for Celtic over the last several months and has been keeping the likes of Tom Rogic and Olivier Ntcham out of the side.

But it doesn’t look as though it’s going to be straightforward for David either. Clarke has pretty much laid out the route-map into the squad here – impress in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and you could be called up.

Celtic midfielder David Turnbull / (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

At this stage, Turnbull looks a certainty to be called up for those games. Scotland will face Austria, Israel, and the Faroe Islands. Those matches will come after the Glasgow derby at Parkhead too.

The season is anything but over for the former Motherwell man. This is an incredible opportunity for him to make himself undroppable for both club and country.

Whether he would get any game-time at the Euros would remain to be seen. But just being there would be a massive boost for David’s career. But it all starts with starring for Celtic at Tannadice on Sunday.

In other news, Ann Budge has provided a grim verdict that Celtic won’t like.