Words: Steve Pitman, Brisbane Strikers
Image: Getty Images

Brisbane Strikers have bolstered their squad with the addition of former Australian Olympic Games goalkeeper Michael Turnbull for the rest of the season.

Turnbull, 33, previously made over 200 National Soccer League appearances for Marconi Stallions as well stints in Italy with AS Roma and in Belgium with Standard Liege.

He was a member of Olyroos squads at the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games as well as representing Australia at Under 20's level.

He also was part of the now defunct New Zealand Knights squad in the A-League that also featured current Strikers winger, Jonti Richter.

Turnbull joins Strikers after retiring from professional football in 2010 to concentrate on a real estate career.

Strikers Technical Director David Large, who is coaching Strikers’ first team in the absence of Chay Hews, said he was keen to downplay expectations on Turnbull’s return, but conceded the shot-stopper’s absence had not been apparent since training with Strikers.

“When we started talking about strengthening the goalkeeping ranks his name came up and, when it came up, I immediately said, yeah, I remember him well, let’s bring him in and have a look”, Large explained.

“We brought him in, and he’s not done anything (in football) in a little while, but he came in and looked as if he’s not been away, to be honest.”

“His ball handling was excellent.  He probably needs to freshen up slightly on his reaction time but you can see the quality is still there,” Large added.

Large made it clear he valued not only the quality that Turnbull could bring to the Strikers’ squad, but also his experience.

“He’s obviously a little bit older, being 33, but he could be that steadying influence that can help us see the year out - and obviously we’ve still got ambitions of being in the best possible position we can be at the end of the year”, Large said.

Large said he remained undecided whether Turnbull would be in the Strikers squad for tonight’s clash with Harimau Muda ‘A’ – a game he described as “massive” with an imposing schedule of games ahead for Strikers.

Strikers travel to Newcastle this Tuesday for the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 match against Broadmeadow Magic, televised live on Fox Sports.

“One thing that we’ve got to really focus on at the moment, and it’s what we’re certainly trying to do, is to take it one game at a time as the saying goes,” Large said.