Michael Turner dreaded debut

Sep 14 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

MICHAEL Turner claims he had been dreading the prospect of having to make his Sunderland debut against his former club but that did not prevent him from trying to claim his new side’s last goal in their 4-1 thrashing of Hull.

Turner was clearly reluctant to rub the Tigers’ noses in it when he thought he had headed home right in front of their travelling support, but when it emerged it had been given as an own goal to Kamil Zayette, the defender’s sadness at leaving Humberside did not extend to losing out on a debut goal.

“I think it’s mine,” said Turner, who is thought to have cost the Wearsiders an initial fee of £4m, which will rise depending on a series of clauses.

“I definitely got a touch and whether it then hit Kamil I don’t know, but I put it towards goal and I will be trying to claim it.

“I didn’t want to celebrate it, although my team-mate didn’t help, but I ran away from the Hull fans, and towards the Sunderland fans instead. I didn’t really want to celebrate but it was a great moment for me and a great start to my career here.”

The centre-back enjoyed three successful years at the KC Stadium and maintains he had never pursued a move to Sunderland, even though it was an offer he knew was far too good to turn down.

“I didn’t particularly want to move, but I knew of interest in me from a few clubs and when Sunderland came in I felt it was the right time to make a change, and I definitely feel this club is going places and I want to be a part of it.

“Playing against Hull on my debut was not very nice and the last couple of days I have been thinking about it a lot. I was more nervous than I have ever been for any game.

“I had three unbelievable years with Hull and the club will always have a massive place in my heart and I owe people there a lot. But I have moved on now, I am a Sunderland player and hopefully my career will keep moving forward here.”