DAVID TURNBULL hasn’t kicked a ball in the Celtic first team since he hirpled off in the first-half of the Premier Sports League Cup Final against Hibs in December.
The cultured 22-year-old playmaker exited the action at Hampden in the 27th minute to be replaced by Nir Bitton as the Hoops claimed the first domestic silverware of the season with a double from Kyogo Furuhashi in a rousing second-half.
Turnbull, who has been sidelined for 16 consecutive outings, will not be rushed by Ange Postecoglou as the team heads into the final push for the Premiership title with a three-point advantage and eight games to play.
DOWN AND OUT…David Turnbull gets a consoling pat on the head from Kyogo Furuhashi as he receives treatment from the Celtic medical staff before his Hampden exit.
Next up, though, is the Scottish Cup quarter-final against Dundee United at Tannadice on Monday evening before Ross County arrive at Parkhead a week tomorrow as the league resumes.
Asked if Turnbull has a chance of an appearance on Tayside, Postecoglou, speaking to Celtic TV, replied: “Na, it’s too soon for Bull.
“The plan with him is, all going well, probably train with us post the Monday game, we’ll see how we go from there.
“He’s almost back training with the team.
“We’re training Saturday, Sunday – I expect everyone to be available from the last game.”
Turnbull, bought by Neil Lennon from Motherwell for £2.75million the previous summer, had made 34 appearances, scoring nine goals, until his hamstring injury against the Easter Road club at the national stadium.
