Colby Donovan

He played a decent game, I thought. A lovely long ball into their box in the second half.

 

Needs to bulk up a little and passing was a bit off at times but as said that'll come with minutes. Thought boy done well overall

 

Few rough edges but he has the fundamentals, will be cracking player for us eventually.

 

No negatives from me...tough ground to get a start at and had balik in front of him part of the game.
A good step forward for him.

 

Thought he done fine today and probably prefer him over Ralston. Deserves a run until Johnson is back

 

Solid performance today in really difficult conditions and an atrocity of a pitch so he should take real confidence from that and probably starts again next week.

 

Creates that penalty cos he's pressing high and then shows some composure in the box. Was a mirror of the chance late against Kairat that we should have scored from

Solid game, which is all we need from a youngster breaking into the team

 

It’s worth mentioning Colby Donovan as well, a young player who has come through the system at Celtic and to make his first start – that’s never easy playing with that pressure but he coped really well.

“I’m really pleased for him because it’s a big thing for a young kid to come through here and I thought he did really well, especially in the second half when he settled in to the game.”

 

That was a very solid performance from him. He's a lot more athletic than Ralston but hard to judge him defensively as Kilie don't play with wingers so he wasn't really exposed on 1 on 1s.

 

I think with a run of games he will come on as he had a few nervy moments early on mainly in possession but the longer the game went on you could see him grow into the game and do well, especially at the penalty at the end, it is that sort of thing I would like to see more off as an attacking threat.

 

He’s was ok. Unfair to judge on his first start on that pitch, but you could see his touch and passing was a level or two below most of our players. Showed endeavour and kept going though.

 

Probably worth having Tierney in the squad for Colby alone.

 

Really really like him. His attitude is levels. Front foot every time in both sides of the game.

A Celtic player.

 

He was decent but i think we can all see that we have our next big young talent on our books.

 

Difficult pitch and guilty of trying too hard sometimes. Also working with new players which is difficult.

But I like the look of him. Really good attitude.

 

Was a decent performance, well done young man

 

He has all the attributes to be a cracking player.

 

Brendan Rodgers has hailed the efforts of right-back Colby Donovan, following the academy graduate's first foray into the Celtic first team.


Injuries to both Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston allowed for the 19-year-old defender to make his first start for the Scottish champions, after cameo appearances against Livingston and FC Kairat in the Premiership and Champions League, respectively.

Completing 90 minutes last Sunday against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, the Scotland youth international provided the ball that led to the penalty award, which was converted by Kelechi Iheanacho.

“Personality is everything if you want to succeed, especially at the highest level, because it’s not the most gifted players that always come through – it’s those guys that are consistent," said his manager, Rodgers. [Celtic TV]

“They work hard, and whenever it’s tough in games, they show that personality, and that’s what Colby has. I’ve really liked him since I first saw him.




People talk about training the way you play – for me, you train the way you fight, and that means that you’ll take that mentality into your games, and I see that in Colby.

“Every time he trains, he fights, he works, and young players like that, you want to give opportunities to. So, I’m delighted for him, a Celtic boy who has come through the system, putting him in not an easy task at all.

"His first game, on an astroturf pitch, as well as the weather conditions, but he came through it, and right at the very end, he was the one who was in the box making the cross that led to the penalty.”

Due to the aforementioned injury to first-choice right-back Johnston, Donovan missed out on a loan move to fellow Premiership side Dundee, due to necessary cover at the back. Scott Brown's Ayr United were also interested in the highly-rated defender.

 

Having two right-backs out isn't ideal, but great opportunity for Colby Donovan. He started on Sunday. How do you feel he did in what was a pretty difficult game and is this maybe a gilt-edged opportunity for him to give you a selection headache?

Yeah, I think for any young player it's it's always a great opportunity. I've really liked Colbyfrom when he came in, just seeing him and seeing his development. There's absolutely no doubt he has the personality to play for Celtic, and you know I can see in how he trains every day, you know people say train how you play, I always say train how you fight, you know, you go on to the pitch, you're there to fight. And he's that player who does that. But he also has quality as well.

And I think that stepping in, it wasn't an easy game, the conditions, the AstroTurf pitch. Yeah, some bits we misplaced passes and whatever else, but he grew into the game and at the end he's the one that's down the side of the pitch and making the cross. So I'm really pleased for him. Still a long, long way to go for him to be a regular player here, but he's shown potential.

 

Celtic academy right-back Colby Donovan thought he’d spend the year on loan at Dundee. Instead, he’s been handed a first-team run that could reshape his trajectory at the Bhoys. He speaks about the connections he's making in training, fulfilling a lifelong dream and stepping up to a new senior level.





A month ago, Brendan Rodgers had a clear picture of the Celtic right-back position. Alistair Johnston was a mainstay, Anthony Ralston his natural deputy. Colby Donovan, just turned 19, was further down the order - a player earmarked for a season-long loan exit to Dundee.

But football rarely sticks to the script. Injuries to both senior options have pulled Donovan into the Celtic fray. Whilst he only just got his first taste of meaningful competitive action, starting last week against Kilmarnock, he has been training with the senior side for months now.

“I was part of the group that went away to Portugal and Italy,” Donovan says of pre-season. “That was helpful for me because it is a chance to get to know your teammates and to bond with them.

“All the players were great with me ever since I first came up in training, talking to me, and giving me advice.”

Rodgers has always been cautious about thrusting academy players in before they are ready. His willingness to start Donovan, even as a result of injuries, underlines a belief in a player he has had his eye on since returning for his second spell as manager.









Mentorship and the Tierney connection
For Donovan, one new relationship within the Celtic squad has stood out more than others: becoming friends with the returning Kieran Tierney.

“The one I got on best with was Kieran,” he explained. “We just got on from the start. He came up to me, introduced himself, and we hit it off from there. He was great to me on the tours, and now I would class him as a good pal.”

Tierney’s career path is the blueprint for any Celtic academy defender. That their bond also included an awkward shirt-number swap - Donovan was initially handed Tierney’s famous 63 before surrendering it - reminded him of where the bar is set.

“In a way, Kieran actually got the shirt off my back!” Donovan laughs. “I had liked having it, but once it became clear he was coming back, there was no way he was not getting it back. He has done so much in it; it had to be his again. I am happy enough with the one I got instead. Number 51. I made my debut in it, so it is working well enough for me.

“Getting advice from him was something I really appreciated, as obviously he has been in my shoes before in terms of coming up through the Academy.”

Donovan does not see himself as a stopgap, but as someone able to learn from Celtic’s most successful graduates and senior players. He cites not just Tierney but James Forrest and Callum McGregor as examples of academy players who stayed the course to become regulars at the Bhoys.

The players ahead of him at right-back have also served as role models.

“He (Johnston) is always looking at my game and offering little points of advice, little things to help me improve," Donovan said. “I do look up to those two. I will watch them and try to take a bit out of their games and put them into my own.

“That is the kind of career I would love to have myself, so it makes sense to try and learn as much as I can from them.










From the Youth League to senior responsibility
Donovan’s introduction has not come from nowhere. The teenager has long been earmarked for potential progression into the senior squad. He made 30 appearances for the Celtic B side last term, primarily in the Lowland League, but also in the UEFA Youth League, playing every game.

“It was a good campaign for us; we did well. Our home games were played at Lesser Hampden, and we won them all, which was brilliant,” he recalls. “That helped us get through to the round of 32, but we got put out in that by Salzburg on penalties.”

A test at youth level, yes, but a different experience entirely awaits him in Belgrade this week when Celtic face Red Star - with Donovan likely to feature.

“Now it is Europa League proper with the first team, which is a jump up,” he says. “I have not been part of the Euro squads so far, and it is something I am really looking forward to. It is something fresh. It is a new competition to play in and a new competition to try and win.

“That is great for me as I 100 per cent want to be involved in as many matches as possible, it is all valuable experience. At the same time, I am aware of the need to focus on what is immediately in front of you.

“The gaffer has been great with me ever since I came up. Just telling me to be myself and play my own football. Keep doing well.”

For Rodgers, personality and mentality are the separators when bridging youth to senior football, and he sees those traits in the teenager.

“There's absolutely no doubt he has the personality to play for Celtic," Rodgers said of Donovan on Friday. “I can see it in how he trains every day. I always say train how you fight, you know, you go on to the pitch, you're there to fight. And he's that player who does that. But he also has quality as well.”










What this Celtic run means
Donovan is not yet a regular and has a long way to go. This is a spell for him in the team that will either be a foundation to build on or, in the worst-case scenario, a lifelong dream fulfilled.

“Celtic is my boyhood club, ever since I was young," the defender said. “Playing for them is a dream come true. I am loving it.

“I was expecting high-intensity football, and that is what I have got. It has been good. All the games I have been involved in have had a great atmosphere.

“My family and pals have all been buzzing over the past few weeks, I just need to keep making it happen. There was a wee bit of a clamour for tickets ahead of my debut.”

Through the excitement, Donovan is staying calm, which displays a composure he will need to truly make it at the Bhoys.

“You don’t really get time for nerves,” he insisted. “You just have to get on the pitch and do what you do every game. Every training session, every game you are always learning. As a young player, I just want as many games and as many training sessions as I can to keep doing well.”

Johnston and Ralston will undoubtedly return, and the hierarchy at right-back will reset. For now, Donovan has the thing every academy player craves but few receive - a meaningful opportunity to prove he belongs.