David Turnbull (footballer)
{{Short description|Scottish footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = David Turnbull
| image = File:David Turnbull 05042025 (5).jpg
| caption = Turnbull in 2025.
| fullname = David Turnbull{{cite book |title=A Record of Post-war Scottish League Players 1946/47 to 2017/18 |version=7 |publisher=John Litster and Scottish Football Historian magazine |date=2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1999|7|10}}{{cite web|title=David Turnbull profile|url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/players/?pid=168011&lid=9|publisher=Scottish Football Association|access-date=12 February 2018}}
| birth_place = Carluke, Scotland
| height = {{convert|1.85|m|order=flip}}
| position = Attacking midfielder
| currentclub = Cardiff City
| clubnumber = 14
| youthyears1 = 2005–2009
| youthclubs1 = Newmains Hammers
| youthyears2 = 2009–2017
| youthclubs2 = Motherwell
| years1 = 2017–2020
| clubs1 = Motherwell
| caps1 = 39
| goals1 = 16
| years2 = 2020–2024
| clubs2 = Celtic
| caps2 = 100
| goals2 = 25
| years3 = 2024–
| clubs3 = Cardiff City
| caps3 = 36
| goals3 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2014
| nationalteam1 = Scotland U16
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2017–2018
| nationalteam2 = Scotland U19
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 2018
| nationalteam3 = Scotland U20
| nationalcaps3 = 1
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2019–2020
| nationalteam4 = Scotland U21
| nationalcaps4 = 5
| nationalgoals4 = 1
| nationalyears5 = 2021–
| nationalteam5 = Scotland
| nationalcaps5 = 5
| nationalgoals5 = 0
| club-update = 3 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 07:03, 13 November 2021 (UTC)
| image_size = 300px
}}
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.
Club career
=Motherwell=
Raised in Wishaw where he attended Coltness High School,[https://www.tes.com/magazine/archived/scotland-players-old-schools-send-good-luck-messages Scotland players' old schools send good luck messages], Henry Hepburn, TES (magazine), 11 June 2021 Turnbull joined the Motherwell Youth Academy in 2009.{{cite web|title=Motherwell beat top clubs and sign up young David|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/motherwell-beat-top-clubs-sign-2437181.amp|work=Daily Record|last=McGilvray|first=Andy|date=21 May 2009|access-date=12 February 2018}} 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,{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gallery/meet-the-team-4738151|title=Meet the team|work=Daily Record|date=3 December 2014|access-date=6 February 2019 }} who had already been a teammate for several years during their development.{{cite web |url=https://www.clubcall.com/news/2019/01/24/turnbull-and-hastie-partnership-pays-off-for-motherwell/|title=Turnbull and Hastie partnership pays off for Motherwell|website=ClubCall|date=24 January 2019|access-date=6 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124224/https://www.clubcall.com/news/2019/01/24/turnbull-and-hastie-partnership-pays-off-for-motherwell/ |archive-date=9 February 2019}}[https://www.nottheoldfirm.com/news/the-story-behind-the-rise-of-motherwell-trio-jake-hastie-david-turnbull-and-allan-campbell/ The story behind the rise of Motherwell trio Jake Hastie, David Turnbull and Allan Campbell], Not The Old Firm, 11 March 2019 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.{{cite web|title=Scottish Youth Cup final: Hearts 2–5 Motherwell|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36156311|work=BBC Sport|last=Southwick|first=Andrew|date=27 April 2016|access-date=12 February 2018}}
Turnbull made his senior debut for Motherwell on 10 February 2018, in a 2–0 victory away at Dundee in the Scottish Cup.{{cite web|title=Dundee 0–2 Motherwell|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42927888|work=BBC Sport|date=10 February 2018|access-date=12 February 2018}}{{cite web|title=Players react to cup win over Dundee|url=http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2018/02/10/players-react-to-cup-win-over-dundee/|publisher=Motherwell F.C.|date=10 February 2018|access-date=12 February 2018}} 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.{{cite web|title=Motherwell 1–0 Hibernian: Turnbull goal downs slack visitors|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46887209|work=BBC Sport |date=23 January 2019|access-date=26 January 2019}}{{cite web|title=Dundee 0–1 Motherwell: Turnbull penalty leaves Dens Park side in relegation trouble|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46929016|work=BBC Sport |date=26 January 2019|access-date=26 January 2019}} A few days later he signed a new contract with Motherwell, running until summer 2021.{{cite web|title=Motherwell's David Turnbull turns down 'more lucrative club' to sign new deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47049744|work=BBC Sport |date=29 January 2019|access-date=31 January 2019}}{{cite web|title=David Turnbull extends his Motherwell contract|url=https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2019/01/29/david-turnbull-extends-his-motherwell-contract/|publisher=Motherwell F.C. |date=29 January 2019|access-date=31 January 2019}} In May 2019, amid more goals and growing media praise for his performances,{{cite web|title=Motherwell's David Turnbull 'delighted' with Michael Ballack comparison|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/motherwell-s-david-turnbull-delighted-with-michael-ballack-comparison-1-4920972|work=The Scotsman |date=4 May 2019|access-date=6 May 2019}} 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.{{cite web|title=Player of the Year: Old Firm quartet vie for PFA Scotland top prize|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/48124177|work=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2019|access-date=6 May 2019}} Turnbull won the SFWA Young Player of the Year award for 2018–19, voted for by Scottish football journalists.{{cite news |url=https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/other_football/17634095.shades-of-mcfadden-as-david-turnbull-scoops-sfwa-young-player-of-the-year-award/ |title=Shades of McFadden as David Turnbull scoops SFWA young player of the year award |first=Stewart |last=Fisher |work=Evening Times |date=11 May 2019 |access-date=12 May 2019}} He was the first Motherwell player to win that award since James McFadden in 2001–02.
In June 2019, Motherwell agreed a club-record £3.25 million fee with Celtic for Turnbull.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48712448|title=David Turnbull: Motherwell midfielder set to sign for Celtic over Norwich City|date=20 June 2019|access-date=20 June 2019|work=BBC Sport|first=Scott|last=Mullen}}[https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2020/03/03/david-turnbull-the-comeback-story/ David Turnbull: The Comeback Story], Motherwell FC, 3 March 2020 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48777582 |title=David Turnbull: Motherwell midfielder's Celtic move collapses |work=BBC Sport |date=27 June 2019 |access-date=27 June 2019}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51587114 |title=Jake Carroll: Motherwell left-back out until next season |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=21 February 2020 |access-date=21 February 2020}} 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. He made his return to the first team as a second half substitute at home to St Mirren on 25 February.{{cite web|title=Motherwell 1–2 St Mirren|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51423862|work=BBC Sport|last=Dowden|first=Martin|date=25 February 2020|access-date=26 February 2020}} On 11 March 2020, Turnbull signed a contract extension with Motherwell to run until 2022.{{cite web|title=David Turnbull: Motherwell midfielder signs new contract until 2022|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51839319|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 March 2020|access-date=11 March 2020}} 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.{{cite web|title=Sportscene analysis: Can Motherwell keep 'special' David Turnbull? - McFadden|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53800538|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 August 2020|access-date=27 August 2020}}
=Celtic=
Turnbull joined Celtic on 27 August 2020, on a four-year deal.{{cite web|title=Celtic delighted to sign David Turnbull on four-year deal|url=https://www.celticfc.net/news/18479|publisher=Celtic FC|date=27 August 2020|access-date=27 August 2020}} The fee of around £3 million{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53888200 |title=David Turnbull: Celtic sign Motherwell midfielder |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=27 August 2020 |access-date=27 August 2020}} was a club record for Motherwell.{{cite web|title=David Turnbull Leaves Motherwell
|url=https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2020/08/27/david-turnbull-leaves-motherwell/|publisher=Motherwell FC|date=27 August 2020|access-date=27 August 2020}}
After three substitute appearances during September, he made his first start for the club on 4 October against St Johnstone.[https://planetradio.co.uk/clyde/sport/football-news/ft-st-johnstone-0-celtic-2/ FT: St Johnstone 0 Celtic 2], Planet Radio, 4 October 2020 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.{{Cite news |title=Celtic end Europa League with win |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55231022 |date=10 December 2020|access-date=1 January 2023}} His subsequent form in the Scottish Premiership saw him named the SPFL Player of the Month for December.{{Cite web |website=Celtic FC |title=David Turnbull Wins Player of the Month Award |url=https://www.celticfc.com/news/2021/january/David-Turnbull-Wins-Player-of-the-Month-Award/ |date=9 January 2021|access-date=3 January 2023 }} Turnbull finished the 2020–21 season with ten goals and won the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award,{{Cite web |website=Celtic FC |title=David Turnbull gets Premiership players' votes for Young Player Award |url=https://www.celticfc.com/news/2021/may/David-Turnbull-gets-Premiership-players-votes-for-Young-Player-Award/ |date=18 May 2021|access-date=1 January 2023}}{{Cite web |date=16 May 2021|title=Celtic's David Turnbull named PFA Young Player of the Year |url=https://thecelticstar.com/celtics-david-turnbull-named-pfa-young-player-of-the-year/ |access-date=1 January 2023 |website=thecelticstar.com}} proving to be a positive for Celtic in an otherwise disappointing campaign where they lost the Premiership title and failed to win a trophy.{{Cite web |date=29 November 2020|title=Neil Lennon on the brink after Celtic dumped out of cup by Ross County |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/29/celtic-falkirk-scottish-league-cup-match-report |access-date=1 January 2023 |website=The Guardian }}{{Cite web |title=Rangers confirmed as Scottish Premiership champions after Celtic draw with Dundee United |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11781/12237845/rangers-confirmed-as-scottish-premiership-champions-after-celtic-draw-with-dundee-united |date=7 March 2021|access-date=1 January 2023 |website=Sky Sports }}{{Cite web |date=18 April 2021|title=Rangers 2-0 Celtic: Champions progress in Scottish Cup – as it happened |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/apr/18/rangers-v-celtic-scottish-cup-last-16-live|access-date=1 January 2023 |website=the Guardian}}
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.{{Cite news |title=Dominant Celtic coast into play-offs |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58138071 |date=12 August 2021|access-date=3 January 2023}} Later that month, he scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 victory against St Mirren in the league.{{Cite news |title=Postecoglou wants 'relentless' Celtic |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58209980 |date=21 August 2021|access-date=3 January 2023}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Hibernian 1-2 Celtic: Kyogo Furuhashi wins Scottish League Cup final for Ange Postecoglou's Celtic |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/36621/12498237/hibernian-1-2-celtic-kyogo-furuhashi-wins-scottish-league-cup-final-for-ange-postecoglous-celtic |date=20 December 2021|access-date=3 January 2023 |website=Sky Sports}}
On 3 September 2022, Turnbull scored in a 4–0 win against Rangers, taking advantage of an error from Jon McLaughlin.{{Cite web |title=Celtic 4-0 Rangers: Ange Postecoglou's side move five points clear with dominant Old Firm performance |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11781/12687202/celtic-4-0-rangers-ange-postecoglous-side-move-five-points-clear-with-dominant-old-firm-performance|date=5 September 2022 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=Sky Sports }} He was an unused substitute in that season's Scottish League Cup final and came off the bench in the 2023 Scottish Cup final.
=Cardiff City=
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68170724 |title=Cardiff City sign David Turnbull, Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Ethan Horvath |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=1 February 2024|access-date=2 February 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-complete-signing-celtic-28555135 |title=Cardiff City complete signing of Celtic star David Turnbull as Erol Bulut backs him to revamp midfield |first=Glen |last=Williams |website=www.walesonline.co.uk |publisher=Wales Online |date=1 February 2024|accessdate=2 February 2024}}
Turnbull scored his first goal for the Bluebirds in a 3-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on 9 November 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-blackburn-score-results-highlights-30333277|title=Weimann's Rovers brace consigns Cardiff to first back-to-back defeats under Riza|first=Glen|last=Williams|date=9 November 2024|website=Wales Online}}
International career
Turnbull has played at under-16, under-19 and under-20 level for Scotland. He made his debut for the under-21 team in March 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/scotland-u21s-0-mexico-u22s-14173946|title=Scotland U21s 0 Mexico U22s 0 as Mikey Johnston misses last-gasp penalty – 3 talking points|work=Daily Record|date=23 March 2019|access-date=22 March 2019 }} He was added to the full national squad for the first time in May 2021, ahead of the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57171330 |title=Scotland include Gilmour, Patterson & Turnbull for Euro finals |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=19 May 2021 |access-date=19 May 2021}} He made his debut on 2 June 2021 in a friendly against Netherlands, as a starter.{{cite web|publisher=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/lineups?gameId=600284|title=Netherlands v Scotland game report|date=2 June 2021}} He was selected in the squad for the Euro finals, but did not make an appearance.{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/aberdeens-declan-gallagher-better-euros-24387299 |title=Aberdeen's Declan Gallagher better for Euros experience, despite no game time, says Dons boss Stephen Glass |first=Paul |last=Thomson |work=Daily Record |date=24 June 2021 |access-date=21 July 2022}}
Career statistics
{{updated|3 May 2025}}{{cite web |title=D. Turnbull |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/david-turnbull/445389/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=13 June 2019}}{{cite web |title=D. Turnbull |url=https://fbref.com/en/players/aa34ed38/all_comps/David-Turnbull-Stats---All-Competitions|website=Fbref |access-date=22 January 2023}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Motherwell
- Scottish Youth Cup: 2015–16{{cite web | url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/highlights-motherwell-clinch-youth-cup-for-first-time/ | title=Motherwell clinch Youth Cup for first time | publisher=Scottish FA | date=27 April 2021}}
{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36156311.amp | title=Scottish Youth Cup final: Hearts 2-5 Motherwell | publisher=BBC Sport | date=27 April 2016}} Retrieved 17 May 2021.
Celtic
- Scottish Premiership: 2021–22,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61316038|title=Dundee United 1–1 Celtic: Ange Postecoglou's side reclaim league title|work=BBC Sport|date=11 May 2022|access-date=12 May 2022}} 2022–23{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65439690 |title=Heart of Midlothian 0–2 Celtic: Ange Postecoglou's side seal back-to-back titles |first=Martin |last=Watt |work=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2023 |access-date=7 May 2023}}
- Scottish Cup: 2019–20,[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/20/celtic-hearts-scottish-cup-final-match-report Celtic win fourth straight Scottish Cup as Hazard's shootout saves break Hearts], Ewan Murray, The Guardian, 20 December 2020 2022–23{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65730831 |title=Celtic 3–1 Inverness CT: Ange Postecoglou's side win Scottish Cup to claim treble |first=Thomas |last=Duncan |work=BBC Sport |date=3 June 2023 |access-date=3 June 2023}}
- Scottish League Cup: 2021–22,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59705941|title=Hibernian 1–2 Celtic|via=www.bbc.co.uk|date=19 December 2021}} 2022–23{{Cite news |last=Moffat |first=Colin |date=26 February 2023 |title=Kyogo strikes twice as Celtic beat Rangers in final |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64688959 |access-date=26 February 2023}}
Individual
- SFWA Young Player of the Year: 2018–19
- PFAS Young Player of the Year: 2020–21{{cite web | url=https://pfascotland.co.uk/portfolio/pfa-scotland-young-player-of-the-year-2021/ | title=PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year 2021 | publisher=PFA Scotland | access-date=17 May 2021}}
- PFA Scotland Team of the Year: 2020–21{{cite web | url=https://pfascotland.co.uk/pfa-scotland-premiership-team-of-the-year-2021/ | title=PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year 2021 | publisher=PFA Scotland | access-date=17 May 2021}}
- MFC Fans' Player of the Year: 2018–19{{cite web | url=https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2019/04/21/david-turnbull-scoops-five-awards/ | title=David Turnbull scoops five awards | publisher=Motherwell FC | date=21 April 2019 | access-date=17 May 2021}}
- Motherwell Players' Player of the Year: 2018–19
- Motherwell Young Player of the Year: 2018–19
- Motherwell Goal of the Season: 2018–19
- Celtic FC Player of the Year: 2020–21{{cite web | url=https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/david-turnbull-celtic-player-year-20581844.amp | title=David Turnbull in Celtic Player of the Year double as rising star scoops two top awards | work=Glasgow Live | date=12 May 2021}}
{{cite web | url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/19298291.celtic-reveal-player-young-player-year-winners/ | title= Celtic reveal Player and Young Player of the Year winners | work=Herald Scotland | date=12 May 2021}} Retrieved 17 May 2021. - Celtic FC Young Player of the Year: 2020–21
- Evening Times Celtic Player of the Year: 2020–21{{cite web | url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/19309544.amp/ | title=Celtic player of the year 2020/21: Glasgow Times readers pick their star man after poor season | work=Evening Times | date=17 May 2021 | access-date=17 May 2021}}
- SPFL Premiership Player of the Month: December 2020
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{CelticFC|players/david-turnbull}}
{{Cardiff City F.C. squad}}
{{Scotland squad UEFA Euro 2020}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 =
{{2020–21 PFA Scotland Scottish Premiership Team of the Year}}
{{Motherwell F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Celtic F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{SFWA Young Player of the Year}}
{{PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Turnbull, David}}
Category:Sportspeople from Carluke
Category:Footballers from Wishaw
Category:Scottish men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Scotland men's youth international footballers
Category:Scotland men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Scotland men's international footballers
Category:Motherwell F.C. players
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:UEFA Euro 2020 players
Category:People educated at Coltness High School