DAVID Turnbull has admitted that being involved with Scotland at Euro 2020 has made him determined to remain a part of the national set-up in the new season despite not getting any game time during the finals.

Celtic playmaker Turnbull won his first senior cap for his country in the pre-tournament friendly against the Netherlands in Portugal last month, but sat out the Group D games against the Czech Republic, England and Croatia.

However, the 21-year-old, who scored 10 goals in the 2020/21 campaign and was named PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year, relished being a part of Steve Clarke’s squad.

The former Motherwell man, who moved to Parkhead from Fir Park for a record £3.25m fee last August, is keen to start the new season well and feature for Scotland in the Qatar 2022 qualifiers against Denmark, Moldova and Austria in September.

“I loved every minute of Euro 2020,” said Turnbull after the 2-1 win over Charlton Athletic in Wales this afternoon. “From the first moment I met up with the boys they were all brilliant with me. The experience of it all, being at a major tournament and taking it all in was brilliant. 

“I went away with the squad with no expectations of playing. I just wanted to do my best in training and any minutes I got would be a plus. 

“I got that first game against Holland and felt I did well. I was just waiting and hoping for my chance at the tournament and it never quite came. But it’s given me a taste of it and it’s made me hungry for more. I want to kick on this season, push to be in more squads and be involved.” 

Turnbull has no concerns about the lack of down time he got after the Euros. He is eager to impress new Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou and be involved in the Champions League qualifier against Midtjylland of Denmark at Parkhead on Tuesday week.

“We got a week or so off after the Euros, but that’s all you really need,” he said. “That’s just the way it is in football these days. 

“Last season I did most of pre-season, but missed a wee bit at the start. It has felt good coming straight in and not having to worry about anything. Being able to do all the running, training and build up the games. 

“I’m looking forward to the Champions League qualifier. You want to play in these kind of games when you join a club like Celtic and it’s not too far away now. I’m really looking forward to it.’ 

Asked if he had enjoyed working under Postecoglou, Turnbull said: “Yeah, he is a different face and he has been brilliant since he came in. He has welcomed us all and brought his style of play to the team and is just trying to bring that into the games. It’s been great. 

“I think his style of play will suit me. He always says that once we get into the final third we need to just go and express ourselves and not worry about making mistakes. 

“As you long as you have a good reaction when we lose the ball, to go and win it straight back, that’s what he is looking for. I think that’s good to hear for any attacking player.’ 

“He wants us to work hard, but that’s just something you need to do for the team. Maybe not all the boys enjoy it quite so much but it’s a team game. If everybody sticks to the plan it will hopefully work in the end.”