DAVID TURNBULL scored Celtic’s first Premiership goal of the season in the 4-2 win over Ross County on Flag Day at Parkhead in August.
Brendan Rodgers gave him the nod to start against the Highlanders ahead of fans’ favourite Reo Hatate and it looked as though the £2.75million recruit from Motherwell in August 2020 was on the brink of something special.
However, Turnbull, who played under three Hoops bosses – Neil Lennon, Ange Postecoglou and Rodgers – in his relatively short time at the club, saw his career at the champions come to a halt with a £2million switch to Cardiff City just before last month’s transfer deadline.
HIGHLAND FLING…David Turnbull lashes in a right-foot drive in Celtic’s 3-0 win over Ross County in Dingwall in November last year.
Despite starting the season in the first team, it became clear he had drifted out of his manager’s reckons when Hatate came back and then on-loan Benfica playmaker Paulo Bernardo was the preferred choice with the Japanese ace dropped out through injury.
With Turnbull due to come out of contract in June, the Hoops cashed in to recoup a percentage of their initial transfer outlay by selling him to the Championship club.
Opening up on his exit from the champions, the 24-year-old Scotland international admitted: “I think it was the right time for me. I had a great time at Celtic, a great three and a half years and I loved every minute of it.
“But maybe the last six months to a year hasn’t been the way I wanted it. To come to a team like Cardiff is a great move for myself.
“It’s about trying to replicate some things I have done before and putting my own style on to the team.”
NEW BEGINNING…David Turnbull poses in his Cardiff City strip with the team scarf after his January switch.
Turnbull, speaking to the Scottish Sun, added: “At the start of the season, I was playing games and after that fell away a wee bit. Sometimes in football that happens.
“Whether it is down to other things I am not sure, but I leave Celtic happy with a lot of my time there and it’s time to come on to new things now.”
The skilful middle-of-the-park operator netted seven goals in 19 appearances for Rodgers’ side this season and made his debut for his new club as a second-half substitute in their 1-0 win at Watford on Saturday.
Turnbull is looking forward to his first start in the home match against Preston tomorrow.
