David Turnbull doesn’t have his troubles to seek post Celtic

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·2 May 2025

David Turnbull doesn’t have his troubles to seek post Celtic

Former Celtic midfielder David Turnbull faces significant uncertainty following Cardiff City’s humiliating relegation to English League One…

Jeremy Sarmiento of Ipswich Town runs with the ball under pressure from David Turnbull of Cardiff City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Cardiff City and Ipswich Town at Cardiff City Stadium on March 09, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

Turnbull joined Cardiff from Celtic in January 2024 for a fee of around £2m

The ex-Celtic Treble winner made the move to Cardiff City in January 2024, hoping to revive his career after facing a standstill at the Scottish champions. However, the £2 million move has proven unsuccessful, as struggling Cardiff were relegated to League One over the weekend.

OneFootball Videos

Turnbull can likely be excused from much of the blame, as his season was hampered by a persistent hamstring injury, limiting him to only 18 appearances and a single goal. Nevertheless, the five-time Scotland international now faces the reality of playing in England’s third division.

Famara Diedhiou of Cardiff City celebrates with David Turnbull of Cardiff City after scoring his team’s first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town at Cardiff City Stadium on March 06, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

A stark contrast to Turnbull’s trophy-laden days in Glasgow

It’s a stark contrast to his trophy-laden days in Glasgow, where the £3.25m signing from Motherwell claimed six major titles over three-and-a-half seasons and played in the Champions League.

Once hailed by Motherwell as one of the most gifted players to come through the Fir Park academy, David Turnbull now faces the danger of fading into lower league obscurity.

At just 25, the talented playmaker faces perhaps his most crucial summer as he weighs the decision to stay with the Bluebirds or pursue a fresh start elsewhere.

David Turnbull of Cardiff City and team mates confront referee Adam Herczeg after a penalty had been awarded against them before the decision was changed after Adam Herczeg had consulted his assistant during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers FC and Cardiff City FC at Ewood Park on March 15, 2025 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Speaking via Daily Record, Wales Online’s Cardiff City journalist Glen Williams said: It was a mixed reaction and that’s no slight on Turnbull himself,” when asked about the fans reaction to Turnbull signing in February 2024.

“Cardiff were in desperate need of bolstering other areas of the pitch and had a number of playmakers, but opted to spend a not-insignificant sum on an area of the squad in which they were already well stocked. While clearly he is a technically proficient player, the direct football played under then-manager Erol Bulut didn’t really appear to suit his game, either. So it was a strange one, all things considered.”

“It’s been really stop-start for him, a lot more stop than start, in all honesty. He has never had a sustained run of games.”

He added: “Unlucky, really [his first 18 months in Wales]. Bulut’s style didn’t suit him but he started to motor under Omer Riza and looked to be a central part of the direction of travel for a transition in style. However, a terrible injury away to Coventry back in November axed his season and he had to endure months of rehab. It’s been really stop-start for him, a lot more stop than start, in all honesty. He has never had a sustained run of games.”

“It did take him a little while to adapt to the robust nature of the Championship.”

“I’ve alluded to this a little above, but just as he was starting to become influential, he suffered a bad injury. His passing range is very good, but it did take him a little while to adapt to the robust nature of the Championship. There’s clearly a talented player in there, but we are yet to really see the best of him. He’s one of the few players with a huge question mark over his head.”

Another one to file under ‘grass isn’t always greener‘.

Conor Spence

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image above to join.