David Turnbull netted his first career hat-trick as Celtic smashed St Mirren 6-0, and Michael Stewart predicts many more will come for a “Rolls Royce” of a player.
Turnbull hit the post early on against the Buddies before Liel Abada’s double put the hosts 2-0 up.
The 22-year-old then fired beyond Jak Anwick before volleying in his second to make it 4-0 on the stroke of half-time.
Odsonne Edouard added a fifth before Turnbull ensured he’d be taking the match ball home and ticking off a major career landmark with his team’s sixth goal late on.
He’s now on five for the season in all competitions, and Sportscene pundit Stewart has backed the former Motherwell man to find the net regularly in a team that’s designed to attack relentlessly.
He said: “David Turnbull got his first career hat-trick, which is surprising because he’s had a few doubles.
“But I think he’s a player in this team, because of the way they’re set up, will score an absolute barrel load of goals for Celtic.
“He’s a top class player - a Rolls-Royce type.”
The hope for Celtic is that Turnbull can help fire them into the group stages of the Europa League before setting his sights on Rangers next weekend.
The Hoops travel to Alkmaar to take on AZ in the second leg of their play-off round tie on Wednesday.
A 2-0 win in Glasgow makes them strong favourites to finish the job.
They then fly home to prepare for the first derby of the season at Ibrox, where Ange Postecoglou will go head-to-head with Steven Gerrard for the first time.
Stewart is confident Celtic will come out on top in the Netherlands but the Premiership clash with their greatest rivals is too close to call.
He added: “It’s difficult to predict but they are in a very strong position. I think they will win in Europe. The league game, I’m not sure.”
