It was developing into one of those awkward situations where the more David Turnbull didn’t play the better he became.
Brief run outs against Ross County and Livingston had given supporters nothing more than a glimpse of the £3m signing whose arrival was overshadowed by the Champions League defeat from Ferencvaros.
After the drama of last summer Turnbull could have become one of the great hard luck stories but after a couple of comeback matches this season Celtic returned to Fir Park to complete a £3m deal that seemed agreeable to all parties.
At half time today Ryan Christie wasn’t able to continue- giving Turnbull the opportunity to get 45 minutes in against the best domestic opponents that Celtic have faced.
He didn’t fluff his lines, confirming most of the predictions and the expectations that he carried on his shoulders onto the pitch.
Instantly he looked at home alongside his illustrious team-mates, virtually all of them serial winners in the Scottish game.
Turnbull didn’t allow the game to fizzle out as a 2-0 win, his pass to Moi Elyounoussi was perfect for goal number three in the 78th minute with the promise of more of the same to come.
Blending the former Motherwell man into the starting XI might be an issue for Neil Lennon to contemplate but like Christie two years ago he might just be too good to leave out.
? Neil Lennon on @10DavidTurnbull: “I’m delighted for him. He’s been patient and he can be delighted with his contribution today. He’s a great young player.”
Full post-#CELHIB interview with the manager on YouTube soon. ?
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 27, 2020
At times wee looked so good. Turnbull looks class, keep it going Bhoys that’s much more like the Celtic way. Hail Hail.
— Tony Arthur (@tonyarthur9560) September 27, 2020
Turnbull improves our side right away, best game Brown’s had for a while. Frimpong class again.
— Chris (@ChrisBB91) September 27, 2020
Yea, look forward to seeing more of Turnbull. Looked promising!
— Siobhán Ross (@vonney88) September 27, 2020
Much better in that second half ??
David Turnbull is gonna be excellent for us, just hope he can get a run of games.
Wee Frimpong brilliant yet again.
— Luke Bernard-Haigh (@50shadesofhaigh) September 27, 2020
I always saw turnbull as a replacement for Brown, I can now see the two of them playing alongside eachother , force to be reckoned with ?
— Cork_Fenian_1888 (@1888Cork) September 27, 2020
Much more like it today. Taylor, Christie and Broony looked better, Frimpong excellent again. Turnbull is going to be a big player for us. His vision is outstanding.
— Stephen (@ScubaSteve2009) September 27, 2020
Turnbull is they type of player we have been crying out for mate. Will run in behind and get plenty of goals. Looked as tho he’d been playing for us for years today. I agree about Ntcham mate, think it stems from how often he’s in and out the team tho.
— John Chalmers (@J_Chalmers1985) September 27, 2020