DAVID TURNBULL celebrated in silence after his 25-yard stunner thundered beyond the stranded Liam Kelly and strangled itself in the Motherwell net.
The Scotland international midfielder’s whizzbang effort went a long way to Celtic winning their second successive away league win following the victory at Aberdeen a fortnight ago.
Turnbull’s cracker doubled the Hoops’ advantage following Filipe Jota’s whiplash drive in the first-half that pointed the visitors in the right direction.
The playmaker’s goal also inflicted pain on his old team on his first return to Fir Park since his £3.25million switch to Parkhead last summer.
BY THE RIGHT…David Turnbull fires in a long-range drive at the Motherwell goal.
Turnbull promised his family he wouldn’t celebrate if he scored – and he kept his word although he was bursting with joy as his team-mates congratulated him on an extra special effort that saw Well keeper Kelly stranded as the ball zeroed in on its target.
The 22-year-old Hoops ace said: “Everyone knows what kind of club Motherwell are and how they helped me when I was younger, so I wanted to be respectful.
“I knew beforehand I wouldn’t celebrate because I spoke to my family about it.
“They were asking me what I’d do if I scored a goal and I told them I would just leave it. Obviously, I wanted to score, but I didn’t want to celebrate too much.
“I felt like doing it because it’s a great feeling every time you score and that was no different, but I had decided I wasn’t going to do it.
“It was hard to stop myself, but I was delighted to put the ball in the top corner, anyway.”
WELL DONE, MATE…David Turnbull is engulfed by happy team-mates after his spectacular goal against Motherwell. Joining in the joy are Anthony Ralston, Tom Rogic, Carl Starfelt, Callum McGregor and Boli Bolingoli.
Turnbull continued: “Hopefully, I can score more of them in future and will be celebrating them as I want to.
“It was very different coming back here this season with a crowd in. Last year, I was on the bench and there were no supporters here.
“Ever since the fixtures were announced, I was looking forward to coming back. It was good to see all the familiar faces from my time here.
“I will be getting a few messages from my pals later on, no doubt. There will be a bit of banter.
“The most important thing was getting the three points to keep going.”
CHEERS…Filipe Jota congratulates scorer David Turnbull as skipper Callum McGregor smiles happily in the background.
Turnbull, speaking to the Scottish Sun on Sunday, added: “I had a chance in the first-half and was stuck in two minds whether to pass it or not.
“So, the second time, when I got it I knew I was going to give it my best strike.
“I have done it before and I know what I’m capable of, so I’m delighted it went into the top corner.
“A few of the boys were asking me how I did it. When I got it, I just thought: ‘I have to strike this’ and put a bit of swazz on it.
“As I say, I’m just delighted it went in.”
Turnbull was delighted to see the visiting fans more than made up for his muted celebrations by erupting in joy in the Fir Park stand.
DIDN’T THEY DO WELL? JOTA, TURNBULL STRIKE FOR ANOTHER AWAY DAY SUCCESS
