ALLAN CAMPBELL says that nobody at Motherwell is surprised by the impact that David Turnbull has made at Celtic, as he held up his long-time friend as the perfect example for Fir Park kids to follow.

Campbell admits it felt somewhat peculiar to be in direct opposition to the man he played with at Motherwell from the age of nine as the Steelmen went down narrowly to Celtic at the weekend.

But once hostilities on the field had ended, Campbell was fulsome in his praise for Turnbull after watching his friend take Celtic Park by storm over the past few months.

“It was obviously a bit strange [playing against him], but when you get on the football park you’re not pals, you’re rivals,” Campbell said. “I obviously wish him all the best here. It was good to see him.

“He sent me a wee text beforehand to say ‘see you Saturday’ and gave me a wee bit [of stick], but nothing too much.

“We’ve got a lot of respect for each other. I hope he does well and likewise he’ll want me to do well.

“He’s a top player and a hard-working player, and he’s come here and had a real impact on the team. That wasn’t a surprise to anybody at Fir Park.

“At a club like Motherwell, they take young players and give them a platform to perform, and if you do well then there’s every chance a big club could come in for you.

“David’s a great example of that, he’s playing at a top club now and he’s somebody that all our young players can look up to.”

Campbell’s second-half strike against Celtic gave Motherwell a lifeline into a match where they had looked cut adrift, and they came close to rescuing a point from the game in the end.

It was just his third goal in 27 appearances so far this season, and he says that is an area of his game he is looking to develop.

“I’ve been speaking to the manager and saying to myself that I need to get more shots away, if you don’t shoot you don’t score,” he said.

“That’s the be all and end all, and I got my shot away and thankfully it went into the back of the net.

“I always look at my game and be critical with myself and what I can improve on, and that’s an area I can improve more, and hopefully I can bring that more to my game.”