Celtic go into tomorrow night’s (Thursday’s) Premier Sports Cup tie against Raith Rovers knowing that the right result will mean a first-team bus being booked for a visit to Hampden for the semi-final, and David Turnbull is intent on that being the case.

The Hoops have been consistent and habitual visitors to the Southside venue over the years and the Celtic midfielder is hoping that he and his team-mates, as well as the Celtic support can return to the historic stadium.

Speaking ahead of the game, the midfielder said: “It’s huge, that’s where everybody wants to perform, it’s one of the biggest stages.

‘Going to the National Stadium, you know you’re in an important game and getting to the semi-final would be great for the boys.’

“But we’re just concentrating on tomorrow, we’re fully focused on that and getting the job done, and then we’ll see where that takes us.”

While the Celtic supporters’ return to Paradise has coincided with a rich vein of home form that has delivered an average five goals per game in the league with none given away at the other end, Turnbull is hoping that can be replicated on the road too.

Celtic fans returned to an away venue for the first time on Sunday following the easing of restrictions, but the ‘home’ atmosphere created by three quarters of the stadium draped in green and white at Almondvale didn’t transfer to the pitch as Livingston won 1-0 on the day.

The midfielder said: “The supporters came out in their numbers on Sunday and it was disappointing not to send them home happy.

“We have sent them home happy a few times this season and personally you feel good about yourself doing that, and it’s just about putting a run together now. I’m sure the fans will be behind us, they always are and it’s about providing the results for them.”

David Turnbull: Hampden just the ticket for inspiration