MOTHERWELL youngster David Turnbull wants to stay at Fir Park and is hoping to tie up a new contract as soon as possible.

The exciting prospect, who hit the Steelmen’s winner in their victory over Hibernian on Wednesday night, is a lifelong Motherwell fan and has been in the club’s academy since the age of 10.

The 19-year-old’s contract is up in the summer and talks over a new deal have stalled as other clubs such as Southampton have shown interest in luring the attacking midfielder away from Lanarkshire.

But Turnbull is hoping that the long frustrating process of hammering out new terms at Fir Park may soon be coming to an end, and that he will be able to continue his development at the club he loves.

“Talks are going well, but they’ve been very long and tough going,” Turnbull said. “We’re trying to get it over the line now and it should hopefully be done soon. I want to stay.

“There’s obviously interest here and there and people are talking, but my aim is to stay here and just do well for the team.

“It’s hard [not to get your head turned], but my mum and dad are helping me and keeping my head in the game and keeping me right.

“The decision is easier because I’ve come up through the youth ranks and I’ve been well looked after, and with how good the club has been to me.

“I’ve supported Motherwell all my life, so it’s extra special for me. Plus, if I leave, my mates will have to pay into the games!

“My family were all here [on Wednesday] and a few of my pals as well. There were two or three of them and I got them tickets.

“One of my mates had me on his coupon to score as well, so I’ll be trying to tap half the winnings off him later!”

Turnbull has picked up a welcome habit of scoring spectacular goals, and also goals that matter. Motherwell have now won all five matches in which he has scored this season.

His strike against Hibs was both easy on the eye and just as important as his previous goals, as he ran onto a perfectly weighted pass from fellow youngster Jake Hastie to sweep home from outside the area.

“It just came across to me and I can’t really remember too much about it to be honest, but thankfully it’s went in,” he said.

“It’s another one for the portfolio and another one I can look back on. I don’t seem to score too many scruffy ones, I seem to be producing good finishes and hopefully they keep coming and I can keep doing well.

“The boys were saying to me there that I’m scoring goals that are winning matches, so it’s good to obviously come through for the boys and get the win.”

With Turnbull, Hastie and the likes of Allan Campbell all outstanding against Hibs, Motherwell fans are hoping that their academy products can herald a more exciting second half of the campaign after an underwhelming opening to the campaign.

“I’ve played with boys like Jake and wee Al for 10 years now, so we know each other’s games well,” said Turnbull. “It’s just good to be doing it out there now, and hopefully it continues.

“That’s what we’ve been working towards and what we’ve always wanted to do.

“It’s always really been me and Jake together, and now we obviously want to do it on the big stage.

“Hopefully we can maybe look up the table now. We want to stay above the three below us in the danger zone of course, but we also want to try to push Hibs now and give them a run for their money.”