The former Motherwell midfielder put the finishing touch to Celtic’s pre-season with a terrific strike against Norwich City and has vowed that there is more to come from Ange Postecoglou’s side.
There will be a sigh of relief amongst many Celtic fans as friendlies are very difficult to judge where a team is it and with competitive football set to return this weekend excitement is building.
Overall, the Hoops scored 20 goals during pre-season and conceded 9 with goals coming from all over the team.
The front line has such much quality in it and will be difficult for any team to handle but Celtic’s midfielders have also looked the part with Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley chipping in with the goals during this pre-season.
Celtic’s squad on paper looks very strong and even with the departing of Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton the midfield is still an area of the park that Ange Postecoglou will have a headache selecting if everyone is available.
“We don’t have a competition going yet! We all kind of compliment each other. It’s good to play with those boys – I hope they feel the same way. We all like to score goals and we don’t mind who gets them as long as we all contribute,” said David Turnbull speaking to the Daily Record.
“Most of the goals we do score seem to be good ones rather than tap-ins so long may it continue. I managed to get a few nice ones last year. I better not say the one against Motherwell was the best!
“There was the one at Tannadice which was a good one, and I totally meant it! It’s good to look back on those moments last season. I know I’ve got that in my locker and it’s about bringing it to the team and hopefully adding a few more this year.”
Up until the 23-year old was injured last December against Hibs in the league cup final, Turnbull was the only player to have been selected in every game under Postecoglou showing the manager has a lot of faith in him.
He was one of the better players during Celtic’s dismal campaign in 2020/21 and with a pre-season now under his belt, if the player can stay fit for the full season he once again could be a key contributor with that injury giving him a chance to reflect himself.
“I would say I’ve still got more to come from me. It’s about fitness at this stage in pre-season and getting minutes in the legs, playing the way the manager wants. Once the season gets up and running I think there is more to come.
“It’s great. The manager always works with the attacking players and there is a freedom to go and play in the final third. We want to move the ball quickly and as you can see, we create a lot of chances. Hopefully that can continue.
“I spent a bit of time out after the Premier Sports Cup Final and that was tough. It just makes you want to work that bit hard to push to get back in the team. I was playing before so it’s about trying to impress every day in training.”
Aaron Mooy is the latest arrival into the Hoops midfield but Turnbull believes that competition is healthy and is looking forward to linking up with the Australian international.
“The new signings have added to the squad 100 percent. They have all done brilliantly and the competition can only be healthy for the squad. It makes you work harder in training and in games to cement your place.
“We’ve added more bodies and have players back from injury. It’s about doing more of the same and taking it up another level. We want to try to win every game we can. I don’t think being champions will make any difference to our approach.
“We’ll still take each game as it comes. Last season was a great success but we want to build on it. Nothing has changed for us – we will still be at it every week.”
