DAVID TURNBULL set an unwanted Celtic record last season when he made a remarkable TWENTY-EIGHT appearances as a substitute.
That’s an all-time high for a Hoops player coming off the bench in a solitary campaign and it is not a landmark the gifted midfielder wants to replicate.
Turnbull, in fact, made only five starts, the last in November, and played the entire 90 minutes on a mere two occasions. He also chipped in four goals for good measure.
However, the 24-year-old playmaker, who cost £2.75million when ex-boss Neil Lennon signed him from Motherwell in the summer of 2020, aims to leave all that in the past as he hit the ground running with a double salvo on Flag Day in the opening Premiership encounter at Parkhead yesterday.
HERE WE GOAL…David Turnbull is congratulated by Daizen Maeda after sinking his penalty-kick for the opener in the 4-2 win over Ross County at Parkhead.
Ross County were on the receiving end as they lost 4-2 with Kyogo Furuhashi, last season’s 34-goal man, and Matt O’Riley, outstanding against the Highlanders, lashing in the others.
Turnbull, who has just 12 months to run on his contract, got the nod from Brendan Rodgers ahead of Reo Hatate on this occasion, but acknowledges he will have to maintain high standards to remain in the champions’ line-up at kick-off on match days.
The Scotland international, speaking to Celtic TV, said: “It was a good performance overall.
“I think there were a few spells in the game where all of us could have been tidier on the ball and kept the ball better, but it’s the first game, so it’s good to get the result and we’ll kick on from here.
“In pre-season, I’ve just come in and tried to work as hard as I can and play as well as I can in the games with the opportunities I get.
“So, to get that reward with the start and the two goals along with that is a great feeling.
“Going into next week, we just have to build on this performance.
“The competition is always there, there’s great strength in depth among the team, so it’s just a case of giving your all when you play.”
WELCOME BACK, BRENDAN AND TWO-GOAL TURNBULL
