IN June last year, Motherwell starlet David Turnbull was on the cusp of becoming Celtic’s first signing of the 2019 summer transfer window. Instead, he spent a year on the side-lines at Fir Park recovering from an undiscovered, and therefore undiagnosed, knee injury.

Despite his age, Turnbull has shown a maturity and determination beyond his years in the wake of his injury, and while always confident in his ability, he knew exactly how much work, perseverance and dedication to his craft was required to maintain a club like Celtic’s interest over such a prolonged period of time.

He added: “I was confident a chance like this could come around again, especially when I was back training. After all of the horrible stuff, I had it in my head that this was my aim and my goal and I knew nothing was going to change footballing ability-wise.

“Luckily, I’ve come back and it’s all worked out. I’m just delighted. I’ll never take anything for granted ever again, training, playing games, everything about football. I want to take in everything that happens, on and off the park, and just enjoy it as much as I can, and not look back.

“Now, I just want to get myself as much game time as I can. I want to give as much as I can for the team, and I want to help them push for silverware in this important season. I’m looking to kick on and give more competition to the squad.

“I’d take any position but I’d probably say a number eight or number 10 box-to-box position. I like to do it all. I believe in my ability. I feel like I can come here and make an impact. I always believed in my ability. After the injury, not much changed. It was always in my head that I would come back and be the same player. I just took it day by day.”

The reward for Turnbull’s unwavering determination is the chance to play his part in high-pressure games week-to-week at Celtic, during what is a particularly important season for the club and its supporters all over the globe. The midfielder said he savours the opportunity to play in domestic and European competition, and described the chance to play in front of a full-house at Celtic Park as a dream, whenever it’s safe to do so.

“There are some massive games ahead, and that’s the same every year at Celtic,” Turnbull continued. “There are always huge games coming up, we’ve got the Scottish Cup semi-final from last season still to play, this season’s domestic tournaments, European qualifiers, and it’s obviously and important season in terms of the league at Celtic this year as well. These are the occasions I’ve been looking forward to and I’m looking forward to getting involved in.

Read the full and exclusive interview with David Turnbull ONLY in the latest issue of the Celtic View, on sale now.

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Celtic View Interview: David Turnbull on his Celtic opportunity