Alongside his twin brother Stephen, Phil Turnbull was one of the stars of the youth team`s successful Dallas Cup campaigns in 2004 and 2005. In the next couple of years he began to establish himself at reserve team level, while still playing for the youth team. In 2006/07, with first team boss Danny Wilson short of defensive cover, Turnbull was switched from central midfield to right back, and it was in this position that he made his first team debut in a cup tie against Rotherham.