Strength in depth will help Celts get best out of Turnbull
ANGE BACKS MIDFIELDER TO MAKE A BIG IMPACT
THE mantra as Celtic stormed to the Scottish Premiership title in ange Postecoglou’s maiden season in charge was: ‘We never stop.’
Yet, the australian boss was acutely aware that the intense demands his relentless style of play placed on his players left several unable to continue midway through the campaign.
When David turnbull pulled up early in the Betfred Cup final win over Hibernian last December, the midfielder’s name was added to the list of stars who had also suffered muscle injuries, including Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota, tom rogic and Carl Starfelt.
However, with the greater strength in depth now at Postecoglou’s disposal in his second season, the Parkhead boss will use his squad rather than a preferred strongest starting XI shouldering the majority of the burden.
‘With David turnbull and a few others, we paid the price for them having to play so many games,’ said Postecoglou ahead of this afternoon’s trip to face ross County in Dingwall.
‘We can’t have them playing games at that rate again.
‘the way we play is quite intense and it takes its toll physically and mentally. I don’t have a first XI. I don’t have a set midfield three.
‘What I do have is players who can play in those areas and I want to get the maximum out of all of them.
‘the only way I can do that is by keeping them fresh for when they are needed.
‘talking about David turnbull, he had a really strong season last year and up until his injury he was one of our key players.
‘the problem was that he played every game in the first half of the year and he ended up getting injured.
‘I think David will have a strong season but he won’t play 50 games. matt O’riley won’t play 50 games. none of them will play 50 games.
‘the whole idea in the way of setting things up this year, particularly in midfield, is that we have depth. that is so we can make sure that guys don’t get overburdened.
‘I know people will think that last week’s starting team against aberdeen is my first XI and everyone else is after that — but I don’t work that way. It’s not the way I think.
‘Every XI I put out there is the XI to start a game. It’s not a judgment on players or someone being better than someone else.’
With Japan international midfielder reo Hatate picking up
a knock last weekend against aberdeen, turnbull looks set to move into the starting line-up in Dingwall after impressing from the bench in the 2-0 home win over the Dons.
With no European qualifiers this summer since Celtic’s title win guaranteed them Champions League football, Postecoglou is aiming to use the quieter than usual august to get his squad ready to hit the ground running when the group stage kicks off next month.
‘David’s had a really strong pre-season and he has made an impact in games and when he has started,’ said Postecoglou, who is still active in the transfer market but said there was ‘nothing concrete’ to report in terms of ins or outs at Parkhead.
‘reo will miss this game but everyone else is okay. reo got a couple of knocks last week and a bit of a muscle strain, so we held him back this week for a bit of rehab.
‘But we have the luxury of having the kind of squad now that means we don’t need to risk players or push players too much.
‘We have no midweek games right now, so we can give them rehab, be conservative with them and get them right.
‘We know the Champions League is on the horizon. So these next three weeks without midweek games is a chance to keep working hard in training and to build on our physical conditioning.’
For his part, turnbull is ready to make an impact if called upon against malky mackay’s Staggies.
One of the games the Scotland international enjoyed the most last season was up at ross County in December when anthony ralston’s goal to make it 2-1 in the 97th minute provided a huge moment in the title race with rangers.
‘It was a massive game last December and it was a tough game,’ recalled turnbull.
‘We went up there and they gave us a good game and we had to fight until the very last kick of the ball.
‘tony got the goal late on and it was a great feeling. Hopefully we don’t leave it as late this time!
‘But it was a great game. It was not ideal going into stoppage time drawing 1-1 but the feeling we got when we scored the winning goal, no other feeling matches it.
‘It was just great to get the three points and that day was a bit of a turning point that set us off on a good run.
‘It’s always a tough game in Dingwall because ross County always give 100 per cent and they always pose a challenge when we go up there.
‘It’s a tight, compact ground and not as big a pitch as we are used to. But it’s always a good game.
‘Last week I felt I came on against aberdeen and I had to try and make an impact in the game as you do every week.
‘You just have to go out and give 100 per cent. I will do that whether I’m on the bench or starting the match.’