David Turnbull (footballer)

David Turnbull (born 10 July 1999) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Cardiff City and the Scotland national team. He began his career at Motherwell before moving to Celtic in 2020 where he won the three Scottish domestic competitions twice each; he also won both the major Young Player of the Year awards (SFWA with Motherwell and PFA with Celtic). He joined Cardiff in February 2024.

David Turnbull
Personal information
Full name David Turnbull[1]
Date of birth (1999-07-10) 10 July 1999 (age 25)[2]
Place of birth Carluke, Scotland
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
Cardiff City
Number 14
Youth career
2005–2009 Newmains Hammers[4]
2009–2017 Motherwell
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2020 Motherwell 39 (16)
2020–2024 Celtic 100 (25)
2024– Cardiff City 26 (1)
International career
2014 Scotland U16[2] 1 (0)
2017–2018 Scotland U19[2] 3 (1)
2018 Scotland U20[2] 1 (0)
2019–2020 Scotland U21[2] 5 (1)
2021– Scotland[2] 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 07:03, 13 November 2021 (UTC)

Club career

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Motherwell

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Raised in Wishaw where he attended Coltness High School,[5] Turnbull joined the Motherwell Youth Academy in 2009.[4] He was selected for the Scotland football team (represented by North Lanarkshire school pupils) at the 2014 International Children's Games alongside fellow Motherwell player Jake Hastie,[6] who had already been a teammate for several years during their development.[7][8] On 27 April 2016, Turnbull, Hastie and another long-term academy colleague Allan Campbell were in the Well team that won the Scottish Youth Cup, beating Heart of Midlothian 5–2.[9][8]

Turnbull made his senior debut for Motherwell on 10 February 2018, in a 2–0 victory away at Dundee in the Scottish Cup.[10][11] On 8 May 2018, he made his first start and Scottish Professional Football League debut in a 1–0 victory away to Partick Thistle. Later that month he was an unused substitute in the 2018 Scottish Cup Final which Motherwell lost 2–0 to Celtic.

On 31 October 2018, Turnbull scored his first goal for Motherwell against St Mirren. In January 2019, he was the sole goalscorer in two consecutive league wins in the space of four days, at home to Hibernian and away to Dundee.[7][12][13] A few days later he signed a new contract with Motherwell, running until summer 2021.[14][15] In May 2019, amid more goals and growing media praise for his performances,[16] he was nominated for the season's PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year, along with Jake Hastie; the award was won by Ryan Kent.[17] Turnbull won the SFWA Young Player of the Year award for 2018–19, voted for by Scottish football journalists.[18] He was the first Motherwell player to win that award since James McFadden in 2001–02.[18]

In June 2019, Motherwell agreed a club-record £3.25 million fee with Celtic for Turnbull.[19][20] The proposed deal collapsed when medical tests found that Turnbull would require preventative surgery on his left knee, and the clubs could not agree revised terms.[21] Turnbull returned to Motherwell, had his knee operation – performed by renowned London surgeon Andy Williams – then underwent a rehabilitation programme across the winter (alongside teammate Charles Dunne who was recovering from a groin injury) and resumed full training in February 2020.[22] His mental and physical recovery was chartered in a behind-the-scenes club documentary which followed him from the day of his collapsed move through operations, rehabilitation and to his eventual return to first-team action.[20] He made his return to the first team as a second half substitute at home to St Mirren on 25 February.[23] On 11 March 2020, Turnbull signed a contract extension with Motherwell to run until 2022.[24] With the 2019–20 season halted days afterwards due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland, he successfully re-established himself as an important member of the side at the outset of 2020–21.[25]

Celtic

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Turnbull joined Celtic on 27 August 2020, on a four-year deal.[26] The fee of around £3 million[27] was a club record for Motherwell.[28]

After three substitute appearances during September, he made his first start for the club on 4 October against St Johnstone.[29] While there was initially few opportunities in the early part of the season, on 10 December 2020 Turnbull started in a UEFA Europa League home fixture against Ligue 1 side Lille OSC. He scored his first goal for Celtic and made an assist for Christopher Jullien in a 3–2 win against the French champion in the last group stage match that season.[30] His subsequent form in the Scottish Premiership saw him named the SPFL Player of the Month for December.[31] Turnbull finished the 2020–21 season with ten goals and won the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award,[32][33] proving to be a positive for Celtic in an otherwise disappointing campaign where they lost the Premiership title and failed to win a trophy.[34][35][36]

Under new Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou, Turnbull played regularly in the first half of the 2021–22 season. On 12 August 2021, he scored twice in a 3–0 (agg 7–2) UEFA Europa League play-off win against Czech First League side FK Jablonec.[37] Later that month, he scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 victory against St Mirren in the league.[38] Turnbull featured as a starter in the 2021–22 Scottish League Cup final but was forced off with a hamstring injury after 27 minutes; Celtic defeated Hibernian 2–1 and he collected a winner's medal.[39][40]

On 3 September 2022, Turnbull scored in a 4–0 win against Rangers, taking advantage of an error from Jon McLaughlin.[41] He was an unused substitute in that season's Scottish League Cup final[42] and came off the bench in the 2023 Scottish Cup final.[43]

Cardiff City

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Having never fully established himself in the Celtic starting lineup and with his contract due to expire in four months, on 1 February 2024 Turnbull signed for EFL Championship club Cardiff City on a permanent deal (the fee was undisclosed but reported at around £2 million) running to 2027.[44][45]

International career

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Turnbull has played at under-16, under-19 and under-20 level for Scotland.[2] He made his debut for the under-21 team in March 2019.[46] He was added to the full national squad for the first time in May 2021, ahead of the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.[47] He made his debut on 2 June 2021 in a friendly against Netherlands, as a starter.[48] He was selected in the squad for the Euro finals, but did not make an appearance.[49]

Career statistics

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As of 1 February 2024[3][50]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Motherwell 2016–17[51] Scottish Premiership 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017–18[52] Scottish Premiership 2 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
2018–19[53] Scottish Premiership 30 15 1 0 0 0 31 15
2019–20[54] Scottish Premiership 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2020–21[55] Scottish Premiership 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1
Total 39 16 2 0 0 0 0 0 41 16
Motherwell U20/U21[a] 2016–17 2 0 2 0
2017–18 2 1 2 1
2018–19 3 1 3 1
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 2 7 2
Celtic 2020–21[55] Scottish Premiership 31 8 3[b] 0 0 0 1[c] 1 35 9
2021–22 Scottish Premiership 25 6 0 0 4 1 12[d] 3[e] 34 9
2022–23 Scottish Premiership 28 4 2 1 2 0 5[f] 0 37 5
2023–24 Scottish Premiership 16 7 0 0 1 0 2[f] 0 19 7
Total 100 25 5 1 7 1 20 4 125 30
Career total 139 41 7 1 7 1 22 6 173 48
  1. ^ Matches in the Scottish Challenge Cup, in which age-restricted teams from the SPFL Premiership clubs compete against senior clubs.
  2. ^ One appearance in the previous season's Scottish Cup which was rescheduled to October due to COVID-19
  3. ^ Appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ 2 appearances in the UEFA Champions League, 10 appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ 3 goals in the UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ a b Appearances in the UEFA Champions League

Honours

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Motherwell

Celtic

Individual

References

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  1. ^ A Record of Post-war Scottish League Players 1946/47 to 2017/18. 7. John Litster and Scottish Football Historian magazine. 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "David Turnbull profile". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  3. ^ a b "D. Turnbull". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b McGilvray, Andy (21 May 2009). "Motherwell beat top clubs and sign up young David". Daily Record. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  5. ^ Scotland players' old schools send good luck messages, Henry Hepburn, TES (magazine), 11 June 2021
  6. ^ "Meet the team". Daily Record. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Turnbull and Hastie partnership pays off for Motherwell". ClubCall. 24 January 2019. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  8. ^ a b The story behind the rise of Motherwell trio Jake Hastie, David Turnbull and Allan Campbell, Not The Old Firm, 11 March 2019
  9. ^ Southwick, Andrew (27 April 2016). "Scottish Youth Cup final: Hearts 2–5 Motherwell". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Dundee 0–2 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  11. ^ "Players react to cup win over Dundee". Motherwell F.C. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  12. ^ "Motherwell 1–0 Hibernian: Turnbull goal downs slack visitors". BBC Sport. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  13. ^ "Dundee 0–1 Motherwell: Turnbull penalty leaves Dens Park side in relegation trouble". BBC Sport. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  14. ^ "Motherwell's David Turnbull turns down 'more lucrative club' to sign new deal". BBC Sport. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  15. ^ "David Turnbull extends his Motherwell contract". Motherwell F.C. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Motherwell's David Turnbull 'delighted' with Michael Ballack comparison". The Scotsman. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  17. ^ "Player of the Year: Old Firm quartet vie for PFA Scotland top prize". BBC Sport. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  18. ^ a b c Fisher, Stewart (11 May 2019). "Shades of McFadden as David Turnbull scoops SFWA young player of the year award". Evening Times. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  19. ^ Mullen, Scott (20 June 2019). "David Turnbull: Motherwell midfielder set to sign for Celtic over Norwich City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  20. ^ a b David Turnbull: The Comeback Story, Motherwell FC, 3 March 2020
  21. ^ "David Turnbull: Motherwell midfielder's Celtic move collapses". BBC Sport. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  22. ^ "Jake Carroll: Motherwell left-back out until next season". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  23. ^ Dowden, Martin (25 February 2020). "Motherwell 1–2 St Mirren". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  24. ^ "David Turnbull: Motherwell midfielder signs new contract until 2022". BBC Sport. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  25. ^ "Sportscene analysis: Can Motherwell keep 'special' David Turnbull? - McFadden". BBC Sport. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  26. ^ "Celtic delighted to sign David Turnbull on four-year deal". Celtic FC. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  27. ^ "David Turnbull: Celtic sign Motherwell midfielder". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  28. ^ "David Turnbull Leaves Motherwell". Motherwell FC. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  29. ^ FT: St Johnstone 0 Celtic 2, Planet Radio, 4 October 2020
  30. ^ "Celtic end Europa League with win". BBC Sport. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  31. ^ a b "David Turnbull Wins Player of the Month Award". Celtic FC. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  32. ^ a b "David Turnbull gets Premiership players' votes for Young Player Award". Celtic FC. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  33. ^ "Celtic's David Turnbull named PFA Young Player of the Year". thecelticstar.com. 16 May 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  34. ^ "Neil Lennon on the brink after Celtic dumped out of cup by Ross County". The Guardian. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  35. ^ "Rangers confirmed as Scottish Premiership champions after Celtic draw with Dundee United". Sky Sports. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  36. ^ "Rangers 2-0 Celtic: Champions progress in Scottish Cup – as it happened". the Guardian. 18 April 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  37. ^ "Dominant Celtic coast into play-offs". BBC Sport. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  38. ^ "Postecoglou wants 'relentless' Celtic". BBC Sport. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  39. ^ "Hibernian 1-2 Celtic: Kyogo Furuhashi wins Scottish League Cup final for Ange Postecoglou's Celtic". Sky Sports. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  40. ^ a b "Hibernian 1–2 Celtic". 19 December 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  41. ^ "Celtic 4-0 Rangers: Ange Postecoglou's side move five points clear with dominant Old Firm performance". Sky Sports. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  42. ^ a b Moffat, Colin (26 February 2023). "Kyogo strikes twice as Celtic beat Rangers in final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  43. ^ a b Duncan, Thomas (3 June 2023). "Celtic 3–1 Inverness CT: Ange Postecoglou's side win Scottish Cup to claim treble". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  44. ^ "Cardiff City sign David Turnbull, Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Ethan Horvath". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  45. ^ Williams, Glen (1 February 2024). "Cardiff City complete signing of Celtic star David Turnbull as Erol Bulut backs him to revamp midfield". www.walesonline.co.uk. Wales Online. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  46. ^ "Scotland U21s 0 Mexico U22s 0 as Mikey Johnston misses last-gasp penalty – 3 talking points". Daily Record. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  47. ^ "Scotland include Gilmour, Patterson & Turnbull for Euro finals". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  48. ^ "Netherlands v Scotland game report". ESPN. 2 June 2021.
  49. ^ Thomson, Paul (24 June 2021). "Aberdeen's Declan Gallagher better for Euros experience, despite no game time, says Dons boss Stephen Glass". Daily Record. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  50. ^ "D. Turnbull". Fbref. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  51. ^ "Games played by David Turnbull in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  52. ^ "Games played by David Turnbull in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  53. ^ "Games played by David Turnbull in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  54. ^ "Games played by David Turnbull in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  55. ^ a b "Games played by David Turnbull in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  56. ^ "Motherwell clinch Youth Cup for first time". Scottish FA. 27 April 2021.
    "Scottish Youth Cup final: Hearts 2-5 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  57. ^ "Dundee United 1–1 Celtic: Ange Postecoglou's side reclaim league title". BBC Sport. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  58. ^ Watt, Martin (7 May 2023). "Heart of Midlothian 0–2 Celtic: Ange Postecoglou's side seal back-to-back titles". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  59. ^ Celtic win fourth straight Scottish Cup as Hazard's shootout saves break Hearts, Ewan Murray, The Guardian, 20 December 2020
  60. ^ "PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year 2021". PFA Scotland. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  61. ^ "PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year 2021". PFA Scotland. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  62. ^ a b c d "David Turnbull scoops five awards". Motherwell FC. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  63. ^ a b "David Turnbull in Celtic Player of the Year double as rising star scoops two top awards". Glasgow Live. 12 May 2021.
    "Celtic reveal Player and Young Player of the Year winners". Herald Scotland. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  64. ^ "Celtic player of the year 2020/21: Glasgow Times readers pick their star man after poor season". Evening Times. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
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