THERE is no danger of David Turnbull, the latest hot prospect off the Fir Park conveyor belt, getting too big for his boots after his rise to prominence at Motherwell.

He might have become one of the first names on Stephen Robinson’s teamsheet, but the 19-year-old midfielder - who agreed a new two-and-a-half-year deal at the club this week - hasn’t yet earned the right to a permanent spot in the first-team changing room.

The youngster has become an integral part of the Motherwell midfield, displaying wonderful technique, a wide range of passing and an eye for goal since making his breakthrough as a regular this season.

But the grounded youngster has no problem with still getting changed along with the reserves - for the time-being at least.

“I think I’m a first-team player now because I train with them every day but I’m still in the Under-20s dressing room,” Turnbull said. “I’m not too sure how that works – I’m just waiting for the transfer!

“There’s still good banter with the other young lads, although they try to wind me up because I’m the top dog in there.”

Banter aside, there is no doubt that Turnbull is a serious talent, and it wasn’t only the player who was relieved when the protracted discussions over his future ended with him committing himself to his boyhood heroes on Tuesday night. For anyone associated with the club, it was a massive boost, even his long-suffering mum.

“It was good to get the deal done,” he said. “It had been kicking around for a while but we finally got it over the line. Now I can concentrate on what happens on the park.

“There was interest from other clubs, but it was always my intention to stay here. My head was focused on continuing the good work and my agent wanted that as well – it was just about getting the right contract.

“I’m loving it here. My family are delighted I’m staying at home as well – my mum had said that if I moved out, she’d be coming with me.

“They’re buzzing for me and I still get all my cooking, washing and ironing done for me, although my dig money has gone up due to the new contract.”

There was no one more delighted than Turnbull’s manager about his new contract, and Motherwell boss Robinson says that every young player at the club knows the work they have to put in to earn rewards such as that coveted place in the senior changing room.

“I think it’s more about room, have you seen the size of our changing rooms?” Robinson joked.

“But no, there’s a belief here of not getting ahead of yourself too soon. Football has got a habit of kicking you on the backside when you do that.

“David is very confident but grounded at the same time in terms of recognising what he needs to do and his work ethic.

“We’ve got a lot of young boys who are touching on the first-team who are still in the reserve changing room, and there’s no harm in that.

“In football, people sometimes get too much, too soon. You can see that down in England especially, where kids who have never kicked a ball are on 10 grand a week. It ruins their appetite for the game.

“I think we’ve got a real hunger and desire here in Scottish football, and that has to be credited. And nowhere more so than here.”

Motherwell take on Livingston at Fir Park today, but Robinson still has an eye on the bigger picture, revealing he is actively looking at free agents now the transfer window has closed.

He is adamant though that the pathway for his young players won’t be blocked by bringing in signings for the sake of it.

“I want to take a real stance and say that we have got these players coming through, they will get their opportunities here," he said.

“Yes, there will be ups and downs, and moments when they dip in form, but I’ll continue to do what we believe in.”