David Turnbull admits he's "loving" life at Celtic after difficult few months

By David Walton

March 31, 2021

David Turnbull has admitted that he’s “loving” life at Celtic after a struggling first few months in Glasgow.

The former Motherwell man arrived at Parkhead in the summer. However, he wasn’t an immediate first pick. Instead, it took David around four months before he was given consistent opportunities by Neil Lennon.

His introduction to the team coincided with a mini run of form and provided Celtic with a cutting edge going forward. So far this term, Turnbull has managed eight goals and six assists this season [Transfermarkt]. His form led to many Celtic fans outraged at him failing to bag a place in the Scotland squad this month.

In recent times, he’s found himself hooked more than normal. Interim boss John Kennedy has taken Turnbull off in all three of his games in charge. Celtic great Frank McAvennies urged the club to be “careful” and stated that he would soon get fed up of constantly being hooked [Football Insider].

“I just want to keep impressing”

But for now, he’s clearly in great spirits as he stated he was still “loving” his football. Speaking to Celtic TV, Turnbull said: “Yeah I’m loving it. Obviously, since Lille I’ve not looked back, loved every minute, and I just want to keep impressing everyone.

“It was a tough few months before that – in and out. But I knew I had to bide my time, it’s a strong squad, and once I played that game [Lille], I loved it and just wanted to keep my spot in the team. Obviously you notice wee things on social media [praise from fans]. It’s been great to see all the reactions to me, and I just want to repay them with the way they’ve cheered me on. I can’t thank them enough.

“It helps a lot. You can’t read too much when you hear it. It’s always good getting good feedback and without them in teh stadium this season it’s been tough. Not just for us but for everybody. But it’s always good to get wee snippets.

“Confidence is high since I’ve been in. I just want to keep creating as much chances and score as many goals as I can. Just help the team out in any way I can and show the fans what I can do.”

No signs of any David Turnbull frustration so far; Celtic must build team around him

Well, if Turnbull is furious with his recent substitutions, he hasn’t shown it here. Not even a glimmer of frustration even if these in-house media interviews can be a touch tame.

He comes across as wanting one thing and one thing only – to impress the Celtic support. Any idea that he’ll be looking to leave in the near future seems unlikely. Not when he has so much to do at Parkhead.

Turnbull has yet to even experience playing in front of the Celtic supporters. That alone will ensure an excitement and readiness for next season. No amount of Kennedy substitutions will change that.

Celtic midfielder David Turnbull / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

You imagine players wouldn’t be too fussed with how they’re used under Kennedy anyway. Not when there’s a new manager coming in this summer. If Kennedy was given the gig full-time, which almost certainly won’t happen now, then it would be more concerning.

But Turnbull knows, even if he is going to be hooked more often, that he’ll still get the vast majority of minutes. He’ll still have more than enough time to make an impact and show what he’s got for any manager watching us.

Ahead of the summer, he’s the man Celtic need to build the team around. Having that kind of backing should ensure he’s highly motivated in the coming months.

In other news, these former Celtic players have been debating who the next captain should be.