Turnbull expects extra pressure in comeback season Dundee face further cuts in lockdown
DAVID TURNBULL reckons his breakthrough season has heaped pressure on him to perform following his return from a lengthy spell on the treatment table.
The attacker burst onto the scene for Motherwell last year, and has played just 42 games in his young career so far. With all eyes on him and his impressive form before long-term knee injury, Turnbull could be forgiven for thinking he’s actually an experienced, seasoned pro as opposed to the reality.
At just 20 years old, the former Celtic transfer target has done a lot in such little time. But he believes in his own ability and says he’ll be motivated to continue his upwards trajectory. “It is funny as there has been so much said about me and I am so young,” he said. “Probably 42 games is a lot for some boys my age but it isn’t in the hundreds. Some people probably think I have played hundreds as I seem to be in the news all the time.
“A lot of people will be asking that question and there will be a lot of spotlight on me to perform. But that will push me even more and make me try to prove to everyone that I am the same player and can still perform at the same level.”
Despite his dream move to Celtic falling through due to injury, the player opted to sign a new deal at Firhill as somewhat of a thank you to the club for looking after him at one of the lowest points in his life. A move which has turned into a shrewd decision given the Steelmen finished third in the Premiership last season and now have a European run in their sights.
Another platform for Turnbull, he hopes, to make his mark. “The way Motherwell have treated me through everything they have been brilliant,” he added. “They looked after me way more than they should have on and off the field. I just can’t wait to get back playing for the club and I am sure I can get back to the levels I had before the operation. I wanted to repay them a little for what they did for me.
“It’s great for the club as well to get the European place. It is just one game throughout the qualifiers but it is really exciting. We don’t know who we can get, we can get anyone really, and look to do our best.
“Being such a young boy – and I am still young which I think some people forget – playing in Europe will be a brilliant experience. That is where I want to play all my career, push on and play in Europe as much as I can and play in all these big games.”
Turnbull managed two cameo appearances on his comeback trail towards the end of last season against St Mirren and then Hearts. But nothing is more important to him at this point in his career than getting that first start under his belt. A milestone that may have been postponed slightly even had the football shutdown not come into play in March.
Not that he’s caring too much. If anything, in fact, the enforced cancellation of the league has worked in his favour, allowing him more time to recover further. Ensuring he’s 100 per cent good to go when he’s called upon. “I felt I was getting back to full fitness and then coronavirus happened, and the season finished,” Turnbull went on.
“But it probably actually helped me long term as well as I had to get my screws out at the end of the season. So it meant I could get that done sooner and I’ve not really missed anything. I would probably have missed the start of the season anyway, so this has maybe been good for me.
“I’m delighted with the way it has gone. My knee is perfect now and I’ve been back in full training since I came in so everything has gone perfectly.”
DUNDEE are the latest Scottish club to instigate major cuts, following Hibs and Aberdeen after launching a consultation period with staff this week.
The Championship club say they have already lost £500,000 since the start of the pandemic after topping up wages of furloughed employees.
Now they have warned that playing behind closed doors when their season starts in mid-October will have a further impact as they face their revenues being cut in half next term.
In a statement, managing director John Nelms said: “Some optimists think the stands can be filled in October. Others say it is likely to be in 2021. Either way there has been, and there will continue to be, a significant and unsustainable stress on the club’s finances.
“It is our sincere hope that the insurance comes through, and for the full amount claimed, but unfortunately there are no guarantees for any of it.
“In the event that our claim is successful, we will be in a stronger financial position; however, it will be months before we recover our loss of revenue from the past financial year, and it is likely we will not be able to collect on this financial year’s losses until well into the 20-21 season.
“This is the grim reality of what we are facing. The continued uncertainty, coupled with the restrictions on the club [and on our other means of resource that bolster the club] has resulted in an unsustainable operating cost structure.
“We now have tough choices that must be considered to reduce these costs in order to protect the future of Dundee FC.”