David has a rare talent I have only ever seen in Davo & Teddy
Robinson says Celt shows all the composure of greats
Stephen Robinson has only seen it with two other players in his career.
When someone appears to have so much time on the ball that even the opposition back off and let him have it.
Early on, he witnessed it with his former Spurs team-mate Teddy Sheringham, who went on to be a Champions League winner. As a coach, he saw it again i n Nor t h e r n I r e l a nd icon Steven Davis – now the most- capped British player ever.
But there’s a third name on Robinson’s list who possesses the same rare quality. Whether it was in a youth team game at Motherwell or last week’s pressure-pot Old Firm derby, he sees it every time in Celtic ace David Turnbull.
The former Fir Park gaffer is a huge fan of the 21- year- old, having nurtured him in Lanarkshire before that big move to Parkhead.
He’s convinced that, whether it’s under old pal Eddie Howe or any other new Hoops manager, Turnbull will play a huge part in Celtic’s recovery.
In a disastrous campaign for the club, the Scot has been a beacon of hope for beleaguered supporters.
At Ibrox in their Cup defeat last week, he was the only player who got pass marks.
And he was excellent again at Pittodrie in their midweek draw against Aberdeen.
Robinson has compared him to Sheringham and Davis – who Turnbull played second fiddle to at Ibrox last week – due to a knack of always being in control.
He told MailSport: “David has this unbelievable ability to look as if he’s always got time on the ball.
“There are only two other players I’ve ever come across who have that – Davis and Sheringham.
“Obviously, Teddy played in a different position but all three just have so much composure. They’re never rushed on the ball.
“When I watched David in the Motherwell youth team then when he stepped up to first-team level, eventually people just wouldn’t go near him.
“And I’m seeing that now when he’s playing for Celtic.
“Players step off him on the pitch, giving him even more time – because he just doesn’t give the ball away.
“I had no doubt that once he got into the Celtic team he would really affect games for them. His delivery from set- plays has also been excellent. He’s a top footballer who can keep progressing.
“Whoever comes in as manager, David will have a big part to play in that team.
“He’s been their one shining light to come out of a season when Celtic haven’t achieved what they wanted.
“David’s been the one player who has performed consistently well since coming into the team.
“It took him a long time to get in, for whatever reason. But now, in terms of talent and creativity, he’s been excellent for them.”
Technically, Turnbull is one of the most prodigious talents in the Scottish game.
There are now calls for him to be in the national squad for the Euro 2020 finals this summer.
But for a quiet kid, Robinson reckons his mental attributes largely go unnoticed.
Whe n injury initially wrecked a move to Parkhead in 2019, Robinson saw first hand the inner courage required to fight back and earn it all over again.
Now that Turnbull is a regular in the Hoops side, he expects him to be a pillar of their squad in the same way as Scott Brown and Callum McGregor have been for years.
He said: “There’s a real steeliness and belief about David. That was shown by his recovery from injury two years ago.
“He was so close to a life-changing move, remember.
“I’ve described it as winning the lottery then losing the ticket.
“That ’ s what the boy went through. But at no stage did he get himself down.
“He’s lucky that he has fantastic parents who supported him and the people at Motherwell too, in particular Davie Henderson, the physio.
“At no point was Dav id unwavering in his belief that he’d be a top player.
“All he wanted to do was play football again. That shows the type of mentality the boy’s got.
“To go into a club like Celtic, where there are big personalities, and demand the ball
takes a lot. But I watch him now, he’s getting annoyed at people who don’t give him the ball.
“He’s got so much belief in his own ability – but with a quiet assurance about him as well.
“He’s got a lot to live up to there because Brown and McGregor have been there and done it.
“But I genuinely believe David can go on to be a very good player for Celtic.
“David’s got an inner confidence and no headlines – good or bad – will affect him.
“He’s just a kid who wants to play. Give him a ball because he still looks at times like he’s playing in the park with his mates.
“That’s probably the biggest compliment I can pay him. We had to kick him off the training ground at Motherwell.”
Both Neil Lennon and John Kennedy have utilised Turnbull in a midfield diamond that , ultimately, hasn’t been sharp enough to challenge Rangers for honours.
Playing in that advanced role is often regarded as a cheat position for players who don’t want to do the hard yards.
But Robinson has told any potential Celtic boss that Turnbull can do just about everything in the middle of the park.
He said: “He’s playing at the top of the diamond, which gives him a little bit of luxury from a defensive point of view.
“But David can play in a midfield three as well. He did it for me at Motherwell and scored 16 goals from that position.
“When he’s given that instruction to do that side of the game, he’s more than capable of doing it.
“Any new manager won’t need to play a diamond to fit him in.
“With Celtic losing Brown in the summer, David has to play a ver y big par t in this t eam going forward.” 2021
In terms of talent and creativity, David’s been excellent for Celtic .. he’s been the one shining light to come out of the season