Steve Clarke faces Colby Donovan call as Scotland squad update creates opportunity for Celtic man

Add as preferred source on Google

Colby Donovan has been the revelation of Celtic’s season so far.

The defender broke into the Hoops’ first team when Brendan Rodgers lost Alistair Johnston to injury, and has not looked back.

An outstanding performance in the Europa League against Red Star Belgrade established him as a serious option for the Hoops, and he has competed with Anthony Ralston for the right-back berth since then.

Ralston is a regular fixture in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad, starting all three matches at last summer’s European Championships.

But Donovan, who is currently a member of the Under-21s side who enjoyed a record-breaking win last month, could have the perfect opportunity after the latest Scotland squad.

Scotland opportunity opens up for Celtic’s Colby Donovan

Scotland’s next two World Cup qualifiers are absolutely huge.

Despite only starting in September, the group which also contains Greece and Denmark will conclude in November, with Clarke’s side in pole position to qualify.

READ MORE: Why season-best stat from Celtic win vs Falkirk could change Martin O’Neill’s mind

Scotland face the Greeks in Athens before a potential decider of the Group C winners at Hampden against Kasper Schmeichel’s Denmark.

If they win both games, they will qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years – but given the difficulty of the two fixtures, this is easier said than done.

And Clarke has today been given the news that Derby County right-back Max Johnston, who has been named in his last two squads, will miss next month through injury.

Aaron Hickey is yet to feature for club or country since going off injured in Scotland’s pivotal win against Greece, creating a real potential headache for Clarke.

Donovan may be starting out his career, but he is short on competition for the position with Nathan Patterson playing for Everton’s under-21s. Ross McCrorie and Josh Mulligan are his main competition.

Should he continue to feature for the Hoops in the absence of Johnston, Donovan could be closer to a Scotland cap than he thinks.

Celtic players at the World Cup

Sebastian Tounekti’s Tunisia have secured their place at the tournament next summer, and if he continues his level of performance for the Celts, he will surely feature at the tournament.

Daizen Maeda’s Japan have also qualified, but if Reo Hatate is to play at the tournament, he will have to break into the squad having missed out on their last two camps.

Cameron Carter-Vickers’ fitness issues could rule him out of a place at a home World Cup for the United States. Auston Trusty is looking to break back into their squad.

Johnston is in the same boat, but more likely to make the tournament as one of Canada’s key players.