David Turnbull has been spotted in full Celtic training ahead of Saturday’s game against Ross County.
Turnbull has been out of the squad since damaging his hamstring in the Premier Sports Cup Final. Hitherto his injury against Hibernian at Hampden, he’d played in a staggering 34 matches for Celtic under Ange Postecoglou.
While the Instagram focus was on cheeky right-back Josip Juranovic, Jota – an absentee against Dundee United – and David Turnbull could very clearly be seen getting involved with training [Celtic FC Instagram].
Ange Postecoglou explained on Monday night that Jota had picked up a knock against Livingston, and that the trip to Tannadice had just come a bit too soon.
Turnbull, meanwhile, is a player fans have been hoping to see back in action for what feels like a long time. Ange Postecoglou said last week that he was “almost” back training with the first-team. He said [Celtic FC]: “The plan with him is, all going well, probably train with us probably post the Monday game, we’ll see how we go from there.
“He’s almost back training with the team.
“We’re training Saturday, Sunday – I expect everyone to be available from the last game.”
Twitter user Andy shared screenshots of David Turnbull in training for posterity:
You can very clearly see both players there at Lennoxtown, as Celtic shared a story behind the story – Juranovic having fun in training is all good and well, of course.
Turnbull’s involvement in sprint exercises suggests his hamstring has recovered fully.
We’re still, of course, waiting to hear more on Kyogo, with Ange Postecoglou being coy about any potential timescale for recovery.
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou will be absolutely delighted with Turnbull back in training
These are the scenes we love to see.
Training footage can occasionally offer real gems. Celtic aren’t going to just come out and announce Turnbull being back. Instead, filtering any potential story this way turns every Hoops fan into an amateur detective.
Turnbull, of course, has been a major presence for Celtic this season. He was our foremost creative player at the start of 21-22, and the POTY last season for the Hoops.
In 21-22, his first season with Ange Postecoglou, Turnbull has scored 9 and set up 7 more across all competitions [Transfermarkt].
Saturday might be a bit too early for him, with Ross County visiting.
But it wouldn’t be the first time Ange has sprung a surprise on us.
Read more: The unlikely Celtic player still topping top scouting index; Jota and CCV sit just behind him
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