DAVID TURNBULL is about to be put out of his misery. One way or another, the Celtic attacking midfielder will discover his Euro 2020 fate this week. And even if his dream of being included in Scotland’s squad for their first major tournament in 23 years isn’t realised, the relief may come from the fact he will no longer face questions over whether he feels he can make it.

Those queries though, as wearisome as they have no doubt become for the 21-year-old, are entirely justified. And Turnbull can rightly feel that he could have done no more to attract Steve Clarke’s eye, having this week scooped the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award for his sparkling form amid the comparative gloom of Celtic’s season.

And to be fair to Turnbull, while his answers to questions surrounding the national team may have become formulaic by repetition, there is no doubting the passion of his words.

“Every young boy dreams of playing for Scotland and [after] qualifying for the first major finals in 20-plus years, it would be great and a dream come true,” Turnbull said recently. “That’s what everybody looks to do.”

That Turnbull has never made a senior squad to date may count against him. And even with injuries to midfielders such as Ryan Jack and Kenny McLean, he can’t really be described as a direct replacement for either.

There is also the small matter of competition from the likes of Billy Gilmour and Ryan Gauld in an area of the Scotland team that is already strong, with Celtic teammate Ryan Christie, Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Fraser all capable of excelling in the number 10 role.

No one knows the merits of each individual in that area of the national side more than Turnbull’s Celtic teammate Callum McGregor, who is assured of his place in Clarke’s 26-man squad when it is named tomorrow. He is also acutely aware of Turnbull’s abilities having played behind him this season, so he is extremely well placed to judge the merits of including him in the Scotland pool.

His verdict is emphatic.

"David could make the step up from the under-21s no problem,” McGregor said. “I have been hugely impressed with him.

"He has come into such a big club this season but he has handled the responsibility and played so well.

"As a number 10 you are judged on goals and assists, and his numbers are pretty good.

"David has been really impressive in there and he's a good guy - really humble and down to earth. That's what you want to see. Good guys getting their reward for working hard.

"I don't think there is any doubt he can step up to the full squad."

Those numbers that McGregor references equate to 10 goals in 39 appearances for Motherwell and Celtic this season, and were enough for Turnbull to also be named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year yesterday alongside teammates Kristoffer Ajer and Odsonne Edouard.

Even with that impressive return though, it may not have been enough to see Turnbull considered for national service without those injuries elsewhere, highlighting the strength in depth that Clarke and Scotland currently enjoy.

And while the misfortune of Jack and McLean may open that window of opportunity for Turnbull, McGregor admits he can’t help but be heartbroken for the pair after they both contributed greatly to ending Scotland’s long wait for tournament football.

"I'm really gutted for Ryan and Kenny,” he said. “We have had a good partnership in midfield during the qualifiers. It's been me and Ryan, me and Kenny, and Ryan and Kenny at times.

"We have pretty much filled those positions for a while now and it's just unfortunate that injuries happen in football.

"You just need to count yourself lucky if come June 14th you are fit, ready to go and able to take part in the tournament.

"I am gutted for those guys and it means there is now an opportunity for other players to step in.

"We have a strong squad and I am sure everyone will be pushing.”

Meanwhile, New York Red Bulls boss Gerhard Struber has praised recent signing from Celtic, Patryk Klimala, following his debut last weekend.

The Polish frontman, who struggled in Scotland for the most part, came off the bench for Red Bulls as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Philadelphia. Struber says though that he saw enough from the 22-year-old to prove he can have a big career in MLS.

"I can see right now - and also in the future - a deep impact in our game,” Struber said.

“We can see he creates some chances, he has some chances to score, and I think with his speed, with his movements, with his timing, he is very difficult to defend.

"In some moments, we can see his powerful style and I think he’s very helpful for us right now and in the future."