Taking it to next level is now the aim for Turnbull

DAVID TURNBULL doesn’t believe the last two games have been a validation of his recovery from the career-saving operation which sidelined him for a year. That came when he pulled a Motherwell shirt back on in August.

What his emergence as a fullyfledged Celtic midfielder has told him, however, is how much more of it he wants.

And that starts today as he attempts to displace the runners-up medal he collected as an unused sub with Well, losing the 2018 final to the Hoops, with a winners one here.

‘I remember being on the bench,’ he admitted, ‘sitting there and just hoping to get on. I had played a couple of games leading up to that final and myself, along with a few other young boys, managed to get a spot on the bench.

‘I was desperate to play but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. The medal is still sitting in a drawer somewhere but it’s not one that I’d have sitting on my mantelpiece.’

The 21-year-old’s story has been one of remarkable resilience, a Celtic medical throwing up a hidden knee problem he didn’t even know he had, one which hadn’t manifested itself with any pain or injury, yet which surgeons said could sink his career with one wrong turn.

His rehabilitation complete, his transfer resurrected, and his career redeemed, Turnbull (right) has now begun to show Celtic fans the prodigious talent Motherwell fans have long known he had.

‘It’s been a great week for me,’ he admitted, ‘having played in both the games against Lille in Europe and then against

Kilmarnock last Sunday. What makes it even better is knowing I’ve played well and, for me, it was a continuation of how I had been playing for spells last season at Motherwell.

‘It’s just a great feeling, finally having managed to reach this stage. The only thing that matters is that I use those games as a platform to kick on and to make sure I continue to perform well.

‘It’s two games for me but it’s about performing week in and week out.

‘If I manage to get selected, then my aim is to continue to do that.

‘What’s happened in the past is where I want it to be, in the past.

‘My only aim now is about the future, looking ahead and making sure I move forward.

‘When I’m asked about the injury, I’d prefer not to speak about it.

‘I always knew I’d get back to playing at this level. I didn’t doubt I would get myself back to the level I had been playing at. To be honest, I think I reached that point at the start of this season anyway.’

Alongside Ismaila Soro, Turnbull’s midfield dynamism has impressed since being given the opportunity to revitalise an ailing Celtic season.

He insists he’s been given no clues as to whether his role will continue this afternoon, though. ‘It’s been a case of business as usual,’ he shrugged. ‘Everyone has been doing their best in training every day and giving 100 per cent. ‘Now the focus is on the game, the training is over, so we will see what happens.

‘We’ve done a bit of shape in training but the manager hasn’t given anything away.

‘Whoever plays, we know the game against Hearts is going to be tough. Hopefully, we can get out there and lift the trophy and things will kick on from there.

‘It’s been a bit strange as it’s the cup final which has been brought over from last season and it’s also going to be strange having no fans at Hampden the game as for well.

‘We need to go out there as a team and hopefully we can perform well.’