DAVID TURNBULL has been hailed as “a class act” by delighted boss Neil Lennon and will make his Glasgow derby at Ibrox on Saturday.
The smooth midfielder, bought from Motherwell for £2.25million in the summer, fired in a screamer for Celtic’s second goal in the 3-0 win over Dundee United at Parkhead this afternoon.
Turnbull followed up Ismaila Soro’s first strike for the club with a rasping low drive that crashed into the net off the inside of the keeper’s right-hand upright. The goal eased the champions to a two-goal advantage at the interval and Odsonne Edouard completed the fourth successive Premiership win with a lobbed effort late on.
Gaffer Lennon is not showing his hand before the confrontation with Steven Gerrard’s side who had a 2-0 victory over St Mirren in Paisley today with first-half efforts from Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos.
He may have problems and questions to answer elsewhere in his midfield jigsaw, but Turnbull looks an absolute certainty to play in Govan.
Lennon, in a report in the Daily Record, said: “He’s a class act. Not only his goal, but the way he manipulates the ball under pressure, he’s got great vision.
“His ball for Griff where he’s hit the volley was something special, so we are delighted with him.
“It’s a brilliant goal. He finishes like a striker, he’s hit the ground running, he had to wait a wee while to get to the pace of the way we wanted to play.
“He’s now in right good match rhythm and obviously excellent form.
“You never cement your place at a club like this, but he’s playing consistently well and there would be no reason for me to leave him out, really.”
But the Hoops boss refused to elaborate on his plans for the journey across Glasgow for a must-win encounter.
Soro turned in another superb display and opened the scoring with a vicious long-range drive for a memorable first goal for the club since his £2million arrival in January.
Skipper Scott Brown came on for the Ivorian near the end to get some game time. The 35-year-old onfield leader has only started the Scottish Cup Final against Hearts since the 1-1 draw with St Johnstone.
Lennon added: “It’s a nice choice to have. We’ll try to pick the strongest team, the strongest squad and go there and win the game.
“We are playing against a very good side, but Rangers are coming up against us who are in good form, as well. The game is up for grabs.
“I think there is more to come from the team, the more they get used to playing with the system, playing with each other. We’re in a good vein of form and a good groove.”
THREE AND EASY – AND THEN JULLIEN SCARE
