David Turnbull reckons his breakthrough season has heaped pressure on him to perform following his return from a lengthy spell on the treatment table.

The attacker burst onto the scene for Motherwell last year, and has played just 42 games in his young career so far. With all eyes on him and his impressive form before long-term knee injury, Turnbull could be forgiven for thinking he's actually an experienced, seasoned pro as opposed to the reality.

At just 20-years-old, the former Celtic transfer target has done a lot in such little time. But he believes in his own ability and says he'll be motivated to continue his upwards trajectory. "It is funny as there has been so much said about me and I am so young," he said. "Probably 42 games is a lot for some boys my age but it isn’t in the hundreds. Some people probably think I have played hundreds as I seem to be in the news all the time.

"A lot of people will be asking that question and there will be a lot of spotlight on me to perform. But that will push me even more and make me try to prove to everyone that I am the same player and can still perform at the same level."

Despite his dream move to Celtic falling through due to injury, the player opted to sign a new deal at Firhill as somewhat of a 'Thank You' to the club for looking after him at one of the lowest points in his life. A move which has turned into a shrewd decision given the Steel Men finished third in the Premiership last season and now have a European run in their sights.

Another platform for Turnbull, he hopes, to make his mark. "The way Motherwell have treated me through everything they have been brilliant," he added. "They looked after me way more than they should have on and off the field. I just can’t wait to get back playing for the club and I am sure I can get back to the levels I had before the operation. I wanted to repay them a little for what they did for me.

"It's great for the club as well to get the European place. It is just one game throughout the qualifiers but it is really exciting. We don’t know who we can get, we can get anyone really, and look to do our best.

"Being such a young boy - and I am still young which I think some people forget - playing in Europe will be a brilliant experience. That is where I want to play all my career, push on and play in Europe as much as I can and play in all these big games."

Turnbull managed two cameo appearances on his comeback trail towards the end of last season against St Mirren and then Hearts. But nothing is more important to him at this point in his career than getting that first start under his belt. A milestone that may have been postponed slightly even had the football shutdown not come into play in March.

Not that he's caring too much. If anything, in fact, the enforced cancellation of the league has worked in his favour, allowing him more time to recover further. Ensuring he's 100 percent good to go when he's called upon. "I felt I was getting back to full fitness and then coronavirus happened, and the season finished," Turnbull went on.

"But it probably actually helped me long term as well as I had to get my screws out at the end of the season. So it meant I could get that done sooner and I’ve not really missed anything. I would probably have missed the start of the season anyway, so this has maybe been good for me.

"I went for keyhole surgery and they said recovery would be four to six weeks and so because we’d so much time off I was told just to rest it completely. I’m delighted with the way it has gone. My knee is perfect now and I’ve been back in full training since I came in so everything has gone perfectly."