David Turnbull admits life in the Celtic dressing room is set to become a bit duller after the departure of defender Josip Juranovic.
The Hoops midfielder believes the loss of the full-back to Union Berlin will be felt both on and off the park, but he believes there’s ample replacements in the shape of Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston. As the Croatian international said his farewells to team-mates before yesterday’s Scottish Cup win over Morton, Turnbull revealed he shared an emotional moment with a player who’s universally popular at the club.
He said: “I saw Josip before the game and he just wished me all the best and I wished him the best too. It was a nice moment. He’s a great player while he’s got a great personality as well. He’s a great laugh about the changing room, always having a joke and it’s nice to share a changing room with these boys. So I’d say he’s a loss as a player and a personality. It’s obviously great for him and he’s done so well whether it’s been for Celtic or at international level. He’s performed well every game he’s played and it will be sad to see him go.
"Every game he comes into he gives it his all. He always produces moments of quality. But we’ve got other boys to come in and they’ll get their turn now to try and make the spot their own.”
Turnbull took his own scoring tally to four for the season by netting against the Greenock side and the Scotland international is adamant he’s desperate to cement his place in the side after a spell on the periphery. Speculation of heading out on loan was also mooted for the midfielder who insists that’s news to him and his only focus is on remaining a first-team regular.
He said: “I’ve not heard or seen that. But that’s where I thought I was at, I thought I was a big part of this club.
“Every time I come here and train and play I just give 100 percent and don’t look anywhere else. There’s always boys clipping at everybody’s heels.
"There’s boys playing each game. But like this, others have stepped in and haven’t looked out of place. So it’s just about grabbing your chance.
“It’s tough for anybody when you’re not playing as much as you would like. But you just need to go in there and when you get your chance try to take it with both hands.
“That’s all I try to do. I go into training every day and train as hard as I can and then when it comes to the games do the best I can.”
Turnbull’s two goals in a week were more than welcome and he admits he was worried that the poor state of the Parkhead pitch was in danger of making him
look foolish.
He said: “I’m happy with both of them. This was a bit different to the one I scored midweek against St Mirren. I was worried about the grass – I wasn’t sure if it could’ve gone to Row Z or away in the corner but I was delighted with it.”
