Celtic’s first transfer call under Wilfried Nancy is a kick in the teeth for Colby Donovan

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The January transfer window is open, and Celtic are expected to be busy. 

With serious pressure on Wilfried Nancy, many are wondering just how he will be backed because he might not be in a job by Saturday evening.

Celtic have lost five games under Nancy, and now it’s the small matter of facing Rangers in the Glasgow derby at the weekend.

But amid all that noise and worry, Celtic have signed Julian Araujo on a loan deal from Bournemouth, and you wonder where this leaves Colby Donovan.

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What next for Colby Donovan after Celtic sign Julian Araujo?

Not many Celtic players can hold their heads up high for what has been produced during the first half of the campaign.

But Donovan can be one of them. The 19-year-old has come through Celtic’s academy and had a breakthrough campaign this season, despite the on-and-off-pitch mess. 

That’s a credit to the player, his mentality and progression. It’s positive signs for Celtic supporters that he has a bright future ahead of him.

But you just wonder, with Araujo coming in, and he will probably be playing at right wing-back, or even as a right-sided centre-back, doesn’t it just limit Donovan’s game time?

That doesn’t help the young kid’s progression because, despite showing positive signs under Brendan Rodgers and Martin O’Neill, he is yet to make a start under Nancy. 

Yes, Celtic fans want Araujo to do well, and if he does, it will increase his chances of signing permanently in the summer.

Then add in Alistair Johnston returning from injury, where would this leave Donovan, regardless of who is in charge, in the long-term?

It’s becoming a rarity that academy players are given proper chances, yet when one is banging that door down, not long after, his game time is being reduced.