Revitalised Turnbull is 100 per cent fit and back on the goal trail
Motherwell may have made a slow start to the new season but David Turnbull is in no mood to drag his heels as he tries to make up for lost time.
The Fir Park midfielder had been on the brink of a lucrative switch to Celtic last summer and was left devastated when his medical examination flagged up a knee problem that led to the collapse of the £3.25 million deal and forced him to undergo surgery to correct the problem.
A year on and after a lengthy rehabilitation period, followed by the frustration of the Covid-19 lockdown, he says he is back to full fitness and determined to kick on.
Against Livingston, on Wednesday night, he helped his team to their first point of the fledgling campaign but even more thrilling, from a personal point of view, he netted his first goal since the final day of the 2018-19 season.
“Those are the moments that you want to get back to after all the hard work and all the stuff you go through,” said Turnbull. “That is the best part of it, getting back to doing what you do best and scoring goals. I’m delighted.
“I’m absolutely buzzing to be off the mark and get my first goal especially after so long. That’s the first time I’ve played three games in 15 months or something like that, so I’m absolutely delighted.
“Now I’m hoping to kick on and get more and help the team out.” Still on the radar of the treble-treble winners, Celtic chief scout Nicky Hammond has reportedly been casting an eye over the 21-year-old in recent closeddoor bounce games and their interest in the former Scottish Young Player of the Year could intensify as Turnbull insists he is back to full fitness and ready to finally pick up from where he left off.
“I would say I am 100 per cent now,” said the Scotland Under-21 international, who had also been courted by English clubs ahead of last year’s agreement with Celtic.
“I’m starting every game and playing 80-90 minutes in those games and I feel like I could keep going. I have never felt better, to be honest.
“I’m feeling very fit. I came back after lockdown and was back into training and I feel I’m getting back up to speed. The gaffer has given me a chance and I feel I have done well in the first three games.”
There were two substitute appearances just ahead of the curtailment of last season but while it was frustrating to see his comeback halted, the extended lockdown break afforded him the time to have a tidy-up operation and work on regaining his fitness levels.
“It gave me time to have my second op and then I had to rest for four weeks straight. I didn’t do anything, I just rested it.”
In normal circumstances that may have tested his patience but the fact everyone else was also sidelined helped.
“It was another two months to get back fit before everyone was back in so that probably helped. Now my sharpness has come back and I have managed to play my first few games, which is brilliant.”
Results have not been, though, with only one point from nine. Turnbull was one of the few to escape manager Stephen Robinson’s wrath after Wednesday’s draw with Livingston but the young midfielder believes things will soon click, possibly even at Easter Road tomorrow evening.
“Yeah, he wasn’t happy and had a wee pop at some of the boys and he was probably right enough. The results have been bad but that will just spur on the boys to work harder and play better so that’s good for us.
“Hibs have done well in their first few games but if we can go there and play the way we have been playing and score goals, then I am sure we will be fine.”