Brendan Rodgers shares what Colby Donovan learned from facing Raheem Sterling in Celtic’s win vs Chelsea

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Brendan Rodgers will be delighted with all aspects of Celtic’s USA Summer Tour as the club begins their long journey back to Scotland.

Beating Pep Guardiola’s Man City was sandwiched between thumping wins against DC United and Chelsea as Celtic stamped their authority over the MLS and Premier League sides.

The Celtic boss will have learned a lot not only about the current first team but also about the nine academy prospects he took on the US Tour with him.

Raheem Sterling gives Celtic youngster food for thought

And whilst Brendan Rodgers will be pleased with the overall performance of the young Celts on the tour, the Parkhead boss admits that young Colby Donovan will have benefitted a lot from Chelsea winger, Raheem Sterling, in Indiana in the 4-1 win over the Premier League club.

Rodgers said [Daily Record], “Colby Donovan has come in, he was up against Raheem Sterling the other night so will have learned from that.

“It’s always important for talents to be encouraged, and that was the whole idea behind taking them to America.

“They can gain a lot from being around their role models, the senior players, and they will have learned a lot from the trip. We’ll continue their development in Scotland.”

At 29, Sterling’s pedigree in the game is incredible. Winner of four Premier League titles, an FA Cup and five League Cups, the Chelsea winger has faced and beat some of the best fullback’s in the world.

Sterling was also a Champions League and Euro 2020 runner-up with Man City and England and during the game against Celtic, the Chelsea winger threatened with some darting runs down the wing and even hit the woodword.

Donovan has fared really well for Celtic in pre-season after impressing Rodgers in the 4-0 win against DC United and making an appearance in the 6-4 win over Queen’s Park and against Pep Guardiola’s Man City.

Playing against players of this high-calibre and making a good account of himself only standsw him in good stead.

At just 17, Donovan is obviously a Celtic player for the future and is one who’s development the supporters will be keeping a close eye on.