David Turnbull: Celtic midfielder 'may become impossible to ignore for Scotland boss Steve Clarke'

John Collins believes that David Turnbull can make his claim for a place in next summer’s Scotland European Championship squad impossible to ignore.

Four more months of his current form will see Celtic's David Turnbull seal a place in Scotland squad for the country's finals return, according to John Collins. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

The Celtic attacker followed up his player of the month award for December by crafting a superb free-kick strike in this week’s 1-1 draw with Hibs. It took his recent scoring tally to five in eight starts and Collins firmly believes the 21-year-old can put himself in the frame for the nation’s first major finals appearance in 23 years. Despite the fact Turnbull has yet to win a full cap.

“If across the next four months he keeps playing the way he has been, and keeps scoring goals and producing assists as he has been, then he will have to come into [Scotland manager] Steve Clarke’s thinking,” said Collins, who earned 58 Scotland caps, and represented the country in their last two finals, scoring against Brazil in the 1998 World Cup and proving an integral member of Craig Brown’s side at Euro 96. “Steve knows all about him already, of course, but how has he performed and really stood up in high-pressure situations of late will enhance his international credentials.”

Collins’ believes that the possibility he could force his way into the Scotland squad for the finals, where they are scheduled to face England at Wembley and host the Czech Republic and Croatia at Hampden in June, will be firmly in Turnbull’s thoughts. “I think it will be a real motivation for him,” he said. “And that will be helping drive his performances.”

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