It’s hard enough for any youngster to make a name for himself at a pressure cooker club like Celtic, but to do it during adversity is even more impressive.
Through no fault of Colby Donovan’s, Celtic have declined on and off the pitch this season, and it’s a big reason why three different managers have taken to the dugout.
Brendan Rodgers was the one who handed Donovan his Celtic first start, and his minutes have continued flowing despite Martin O’Neill visiting twice, including 33 nightmare days from Wilfried Nancy.
Jim Duffy is right to point out the demise of this current Celtic squad; all in the meantime, Donovan has been ‘unearthed’, and now he has a ‘bright future’ ahead of him.
“Then you look at the bench and think, ‘Who can go and put them under pressure?'” asked Duffy.
“There isn’t anyone there. The demise has been of the squad. The injuries have been telling for Celtic. There is no question about it.
“Colby Donovan is a young talent who has been unearthed this year, and he is someone I think can have a bright future at Celtic.”
- READ MORE: Charlie Mulgrew flags ‘mad’ Hibernian situation as Celtic chase Hearts in Scottish title run-in
Has O’Neill been soft in his approach since returning to Celtic?
Chris Sutton thinks so!
Colby Donovan given his flowers amid Celtic’s decline
If Alistair Johnston didn’t have injury issues all season long, then Donovan would have played even less of a role this season.
But with the Canadian star having two separate spells on the sidelines – Johnston is due to return for the post-split fixtures – it has opened up the door for the 19-year-old.
Celtic’s academy star has taken it with both hands, and Duffy was right to laud and applaud the ‘young talent’ for shining while his senior teammates struggle, as he told Clyde 1.
“You look at the squad, the players and the bench,” said Duffy. “They don’t just have the options. If Celtic have seven or eight players at their disposal, who are playing at their max can be very good players.
“But then there are always two or three players there where you are looking, and thinking, ‘well, they aren’t quite good enough.’
“Then you look at the bench and think, ‘Who can go and put them under pressure?’ There isn’t anyone there. The demise has been of the squad. The injuries have been telling for Celtic. There is no question about it.
“Colby Donovan is a young talent who has been unearthed this year, and he is someone I think can have a bright future at Celtic.”
Donovan’s stats for Celtic this season
Make no bones about it, Johnston is still Celtic’s undisputed right-back, and that will be the case next season.
However, Donovan has pushed ahead of Anthony Ralston, and Julian Araujo, although showing positive signs on loan from Bournemouth, doesn’t need to be signed permanently.
That’s because of Donovan’s performances and how he is more than good enough to play a supporting role to Johnston next season.
- Premiership games: 13
- Starts: 6
- Assists: 2
- Team of the week: 1
- Europa League games: 8
- Starts: 6
- Assists: 1
- Sofascore rating: 6.78
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
