NEW Bhoy David Turnbull is eyeing a dramatic derby debut at Parkhead on Saturday.
The gifted midfielder, who joined Celtic in a £3.25million switch from Motherwell in the summer, underlined his current form with a slick headed goal for the Scotland Under-21 side in their 7-0 demolition of San Marino last night.
Turnbull made his first start – and his fourth appearance – in the 2-0 win over St Johnstone in Perth 10 days ago before being substituted just before the hour mark by Ryan Christie.
Ironically, it could be the Scotland international’s place the youngster will take in the encounter against Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox squad in the east end of Glasgow at the weekend.
Christie will be sidelined after being deemed to have been in contact with Stuart Armstrong who tested positive in a coronavirus test while on Scotland international duty last week. The Highlander was immediately ordered to self-isolate for 14 days which will see him sit out the crucial confrontation where a win will put Neil Lennon’s men back to the Premiership pinnacle with a game in hand.
The 25-year-old playmaker has since shown to be negative in two swabs carried out by the Celtic medical team, but government guidelines insist he will take no part in the action on this occasion.
Turnbull was on the bench for the young Scots’ 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic on Friday, but was in from the start as Scott Gemmill’s side hammered San Marino, as reported by the Scottish Sun.
The player netted with a header six minutes before half-time to add to the opening goal scored by Fraser Hornby from the penalty spot. After 57 minutes – with the team 5-0 ahead – he was replaced by Harrison Ashby.
Turnbull and the returning international players, including Scotland’s Callum McGregor and Greg Taylor who could be involved against the Czech Republic tonight, will be assessed by Lennon tomorrow as he prepares for the vital match.
